Some, Few and Other Quantifiers

Sample: “Tinubu’s return to Ogun State comes after the APC presidential candidate in the build-up to the special convention of the party some few months ago ridiculed the State Governor in the state capital during a consultative visit to the party delegation.” (Weeks after being ridiculed, Dapo received Tinubu in Ogun…Opera News, 17 August, 2022)

I draw readers’ attention to the expression: “some few.” The collocation of the words some and few is unidiomatic. The two do not occur together and should not occur together. We should say: “a few months ago” or “some months ago.”

I guess the reason for the usage anomaly noted here is that many users have no clear idea as to the meaning and usage of these and other related words of quantity.Meanwhile, this seemingly insignificant grammatical point provides a window of opportunity for us to discuss some common quantifiers whose appropriate usage users of the language should be familiar with. It may be necessary to illustrate the differences among the following words and expressions: little, a little; few, a few; fewer, less; much, many.

The words little and a little are usually used for uncountable or no-count or mass nouns. The expression a little is used when the quantity under consideration is small but manageable or can serve some desirable purpose. Please read the following sentences: 1) Since we have a little oil left, we may manage today and buy a large quantity tomorrow. 2) Alittle more honesty and transparency could have prevented the crisis. 3) All I need now is a little more information. 4) A little more freedom will not hurt your children. 5) A little sleep will refresh you. 6) After eating some food, I gained a little strength. 7) I am sure you would do better if you spend a little more time on your studies. 8) He was helped by the fact that he had a little self-confidence.

Now compare those example sentences with the following sentences in which the word little (without the indefinite article (a) ) is used: 1) The confusion arose because little information was provided on the matter. 2) He made a mess of the case because he has little intelligence. 3) He couldn’t have passed, seeing he has little understanding of the subject. 4) He remains a mystery; little is known about him. 5) One of the peculiarities of our democracy is that the chief executive of a state or of the federation usually cedes little power to his deputy. 6) With little food in his stomach, how can he sustain the rigour the work requires? 7) Unfortunately, the money that reaches the Local Government Councils is too little to make any significant impact. 8) Little has changed in terms of corruption since he came into power.

When you use the word little in respect of the quantity of a noun, you mean that the quantity in question is insignificant; it can’t serve any useful purpose; it is as good as nothing; your attitude to the amount is negative. In fact, some users have the habit of saying: “little or no; little or nothing.” E.g. Little or no time was available for questions. She has little or no idea of what a married life demands. Little or nothing has been achieved since he assumed power.

Now a few and few. It should be clear that little and alittle are used in the context of uncountable nouns. However, few and a few are used for countable nouns. Please note that a few is to countable nouns what a little is to uncountable nouns; few is to countable nouns what little is to uncountable nouns. In other words, once we understand the usage of little and a little (which are meant for uncountable nouns), we simply apply the same principle of usage to few and a few (meant for countable nouns). Please read the following sentences: 1) Few people are interested in the development of the nation; many are interested in ‘grabbing’ whatever they can ‘grab.’ 2) Few nations can look America straight in the eyes and tell it the home truth. 3) Few men are strong enough to regard their wives as equal partners in progress. 4) The reality is that few students major in physics and mathematics. 5) Few farmers have access to the funds that the banks claim are available on request. 6) Until the era of the oil boom, few houses in Nigeria were connected to the national grid. 7) Few teachers these days are prepared to make the sacrifices that teachers made in those days. 8) Few minds are as rich and bright as Wole Soyinka’s.

As in the usage of little (in respect of uncountable nouns), the attitude of the speaker/writer to the subject to which the noun few is applied is negative. Like little, the word few implies that the number in question is insignificant; not satisfactory; not good enough.

Now read, the following sentences: 1) In spite of the heavy rain, a few students came and we were able to hold the lecture. 2) Abacha’s terror machinery notwithstanding, a few newspapers were telling truth consistently. 3) A few of the tenants paid their rents and I was able to raise sufficient fund to refurbish the house. 4) I would advise you to visit the government-owned library; it has a few good books. 5) Since a few students have indicated interest in joining the class, lectures can start in earnest next week. 6) Happily, a few of our universities have met international standards. 7) A few more people have donated to the fund; we can now prepare the budget. 8) The literary production has been enriched by contributions from afew international scholars.

Here the attitude of the speaker/writer to the subject to which the expression a few is applied is positive. The number in each case is not a very large one. But it is such that can be managed with; it can ‘pass’ as it were; it is fairly satisfactory.

This takes us to the difference between fewer and less. Fewer is for countable nouns and less for uncountable nouns. Read the following sentences: 1) Fewer and fewer people are subscribing to the capital market these days. 2) Those who have registered are fewer than those who have not. 3) Fewer and fewer Nigerians are becoming truly literate. 4) Courageous newspaper editors are fewer than the cowardly ones. 5) Fewer and fewer people are living in the rural areas these days. 6) I have come to realize that wise people are fewer in this world than foolish. 7) Those who passed the exam are fewer than those who failed it. 8) Honest policemen, like honest pastors or teachers or accountants or journalists, are becoming fewer and fewer.

The word some can be used to modify both countable and uncountable nouns. Please read the following sentences: 1) Some journalists are writing disparaging reports about the president. 2) Some students attended the seminar. 3) Some of the allegations are being investigated. 4) Some of the principal witnesses are contradicting one another. 5) Some efforts have been made to resolve the matter. 6) Some of the traders will be relocated to more roomy shops. 7) Some vicious politicians are attacking the chairman. 8) There are some elements of truth in his statements. 9) Some of the business premises are too close to the Government House. 10) Some policemen are incredibly honest.

Those sentences illustrate the usage of the word some in relation to countable plural nouns. Notice that the noun it modifies in each sentence is a plural noun.

Now read the following sentences: 1) I have added some sugar to the tea. 2) There is some truth in what you are saying. 3) Some water is leaking from time to time. 4) You need to delegate some power to your deputy. 5) The chairman needs to take some time off. 6) The accident victim has lost some blood. 7) The athletes need some rest. 8) After the initial confusion, the footballer has gained some confidence. 9) Some faith in God will help in solving the problem. 10) I have a feeling that I have gained some energy.

Those sentences illustrate the usage of some as a quantifier of uncountable nouns.

The word much is also used to modify uncountable nouns. The following sentences are examples: 1) I promise not to take much time. 2) The furniture has taken too much space. 3) She doesn’t seem to have much energy. 4) How much interest do you have in this matter? 5) How much of this subject does he understand? 6) Mercifully, he didn’t lose much blood. 7) My uncle does not have much money now. 8) He arrived much early. 9) That decision is much more significant than you think. 10) This point is much more relevant than any of the previous ones.

The word many normally modifies countable plural nouns. Examples: 1) Many people who engage in teaching are not gifted teachers. 2) Many significant changes are taking place in our political system. 3) Many hidden facts will soon surface. 4) Many diseases associated with old age can be minimized through healthy habits in our younger days. 5) Many lives were lost in the accident. 6) Many people have poor reading habits.

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