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France flagNicolas C.
When to use "some" or "a few" ? I still have some issues using a few or some... Sometimes people tell me that it is more natural to use a few rather than some. On the other hand, it is the opposite sometimes. For instance, do you say: "some people say that..." or "a few people say that..."? "some of them" or "a few of them"?. If you've got the answer or some examples/explanations, please tell me! Thanks!

Corrections · 4

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http://www.differencebetween.net/language/grammar-language/difference-between-few-and-some/


http://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/grammar-reference/countable-uncountable-nouns-2

 

When to use "some" or "a few" ?

I still have some issues using a few or some... Sometimes people tell me that it is more natural to use a few rather than some. On the other hand, it is the opposite sometimes. For instance, do you say: "some people say that..." or "a few people say that..."? "some of them" or "a few of them"?. If you've got the answer or some examples/explanations, please tell me! Thanks!

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I agree with Celia. I'm a native English speaker and I couldn't have said it better myself.
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thank you very much for those explanations! It is clear now!
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I´m not a native English. But, I think that it doesn't matter how frecuent they are, what really is important is the context. Some is for somethings that are uncountable. Like food or people. Example: do you fancy some cheese? or ... Some people say I´m fat. A few is for countable things or either to express a cuantity. For example, if it´s expected that in a meeting 10 people go there and only are present 3 or 4, you can say "There are a few people in the class" and also you can say "There are some people in the class". But, with "a few" you emphasize that there´s almost no people in the class. I hope you understand it, if not, tell me please, I want to be English teacher in the future!! :D

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