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1-12. Уточнители little и few
Уточнитель little употребляется с неисчисляемыми существительными (необходимо отличать от прилагательного little, которое употреблятся с исчисляемыми существительными), а few – с исчисляемыми:
I have [little interest] in politics.
[Few politicians] are really honest.
При этом little выражает маленькое количество, почти никакое (т.е. имеет негативный оттенок), а a little – некоторое небольшое, но уже значимое количество (т.е. имеет позитивный оттенок):
The average MP has [little real power] (почти никакого).
There's no need to hurry. We still have [a little time] left.
Would you like [a little soup]?
То же самое с few и a few (a few близко по значению к some):
Cactuses need [little water].
Give the roses [a little water] every day.
His ideas are difficult, and [few people] understand them.
His ideas are difficult, but [a few people] understand them.
■ Сочетания very little и very few «усиливают» недостаточность чего-либо:
We've got [very little butter].
He has [very few clothes].
■ Сочетания only a little и only a few имеют выраженный негативный оттенок:
Say that you'll call him later. We've only got a little time.
The beach was empty. There were only a few swimmers.
■ Сочетание quite a few означает довольно большое количество:
She's been away from work for [quite a few weeks].
We've got [quite a few friends] in the village.
■ Со значением «мало», «недостаточно» можно употреблять the little по отношению к какой-то части чего-либо и the few – по отношению к группе предметов/лиц:
We should use [the little time] we have available to discuss Jon's proposal.
It's one of [the few shops] in the city centre where you can buy food.
Вместо the few/the little можно употреблять what few/what little (со значением «небольшое количество/число»):
She gave [what little money she had in her purse] to the man./ She gave the little money...)
[What few visitors we have] are always made welcome / The few visitors...