Cool MateFew vs That's not a lot
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Few
Top 1,000 (very common)A1
That's not a lot
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Few
| Few | That's not a lot | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/fjuː/"]/🇺🇸 /["/fjuː/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ðæts nɒt ə lɒt//🇺🇸 //ðæts nɑt ə lɑt// |
| Meaning | Not many; a small number. | It means there isn't much of something. |
| Example | We've had a few replies. | With only ten dollars left, I thought, 'That's not a lot.' |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | - |
| Collocations | few people, few options, few hours | That's not a lot of money, That's not a lot of time, That's not a lot to work with |
| Antonyms | many, lots | - |
| Common mistakes | 'Few' vs 'a few' confusion: 'few' means not many, while 'a few' is a positive way to say some., Using 'few' with uncountable nouns: 'few' only works with countable nouns., Misplacing 'few' in a sentence: ensure it's used before the noun it describes. | Used unnecessarily when discussing non-quantifiable items., Confused with 'That's quite a lot' which has the opposite meaning., Forgetting to emphasize the context when used sarcastically. |
| Usage notes | Use 'few' when referring to countable nouns. It implies a lesser amount than expected. 'Few' is often used in negative contexts, while 'a few' has a more positive connotation. | Used in everyday conversation to express that a quantity is small. Suitable in casual and formal contexts but may be considered abrupt in very formal settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Few vs That's not a lot
What's the difference between Few and That's not a lot?
Few: Not many; a small number. That's not a lot: It means there isn't much of something.
Which is more common: Few and That's not a lot?
Few is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Few: We've had a few replies. That's not a lot: With only ten dollars left, I thought, 'That's not a lot.'
Can I use Few and That's not a lot interchangeably?
Not always. Few and That's not a lot are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.