While many would agree that few means three or more, the dictionary definition is, “not many but more than one.” So, a few cannot be one, but it can be as low as two.
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Is a few 3 or more?
It has never been used of a definite number, unlike couple: from the very beginning, few was used of a comparatively small number.In neither case can you definitely say that few refers to a number between, say, 3 and 10.
What is a few in numbers?
A few is three or four. Several is up to five. A number of is indeterminate. A lot of is more than five and less than infinity.
Is a few 5?
“A few” is a small number of. Traditionally, 2 is a couple, 3 or 4 is a few, 5–7 is several. However, these words are not set in stone as corresponding to these numbers (othet than a couple , that’s always 2). “Several” is just more than 2.
Is 3 a couple or a few?
A couple is two. A few is more than one but less than many which is pretty vague. Since couple means two few generally means three or more but not too many more. Several means more than a few but less than a lot.
Is a few 3 or 4?
Actually, no. While many people would agree that “a few” means three or more, the actual dictionary definition of “a few” is, “not many but more than one.” So, “a few” cannot be one, but it can be as low as two.
Is a couple 2 or 3?
A couple is usually two (a married couple), or sometimes ‘about two’ if you are being vague (a couple of dozen, a couple of inches). A few is more than a couple, but not as many as several. +1; definitely agree. I’d regard “a couple of <things>” as usually meaning “2 or 3 <things>”.
How many is a few days?
A “few” typically refers to the vicinity of 3 to 7 of something. A few days would be longer than a couple (two) but shorter than a week (seven). So the time duration could range from three to six days and still be classified as a few.
Is a few Vs are a few?
1 Answer. ‘a few’ of anything is a small number. It is greater than one, and thus refers to a plural quantity, thus ‘are’ is the correct verb form. A small number of.
Whats the difference between a few and few?
Both the terms “few” and a few” technically refer to more than one, so some people use them interchangeably, assuming they mean the same, but that is not correct. ‘A few’ means ‘some’, whereas ‘few’ means ‘not a lot of’.
Is 2 considered many?
So, the bottom line seems to be this: “a couple” is typically interpreted with some precision to mean “two.” “Many” is the most, but an indeterminate amount.
Whats the meaning of 3?
1 : a number that is one more than 2 — see Table of Numbers. 2 : the third in a set or series the three of hearts. 3a : something having three units or members. b : three-pointer.
Is several more than 2?
Two is a “couple” and more than two or three is several. If you eat four donuts you can say you had several but you may have had too many — especially if you get a stomach-ache. Several is a word that shows size or number when you can’t be specific or when you want to summarize.
What does it mean to 4 5 someone?
They are expected to number the pages of their homework assignments in that fashion (4/5 means page four out of five).
How many is a few and several?
She thinks “a few” refers to “maybe 2-3 items” while “several” refers to “maybe 3-6.” Her husband says “a few” is 4-7 items. Few is the opposite of many. It derives from words having the meaning of “small” and “little.” It is related to Latin paucus (little, few) and even puer (child/boy).
How many is a few years?
a few years, is more than a couple, but less than some, here we start losing numerical information, it could be anywhere from just 3 or from 3 to 5 years. a ‘handful’ of years would be about five, this one is not used as much for concept.
Does multiple mean 2?
Other definitions for multi (2 of 2)
a combining form meaning “many,” “much,” “multiple,” “many times,” “more than one,” “more than two,” “composed of many like parts,” “in many respects,” used in the formation of compound words: multiply; multivitamin.
How many is quite a few?
Quite a few is defined as when you have more than one or two of something. An example of quite a few is when you have ten books. An indefinite and somewhat large number; more than a few; a fair number of. I’ve watched quite a few basketball games in my time.
Does a few mean 2?
While many would agree that few means three or more, the dictionary definition is, “not many but more than one.” So, a few cannot be one, but it can be as low as two.
How many is a handful?
five
Frequency: A small quantity, usually approximately equal to five, the number of fingers on a hand.
What does see you in a few mean?
a phrase indicating that the speaker will see the person spoken to within a few hours at the most. John: I’ll see you in a little while.