too many few

[rania_k]

hi

can you help me with this sort of description:

is it correct to use the combination of "too many few"?
and if so, what does it mean? and when is it used usually?

here's the text it was used in:
In terms of the available literature, there are, in particular, too few books and many too few journals.

sorry, i just saw that the title is not the same, my question is about "many too few"

[bhaisahab]

hi

can you help me with this sort of description:

is it correct to use the combination of "too many few"?
and if so, what does it mean? and when is it used usually?

Welcome to the forums rania. No, "too many few" is not correct.

[rania_k]

thanks

[Rover_KE]

. . .too few books and far too few journals

would be acceptable.

Rover

[5jj]

We can, however. say a few too many.

There are a few too many people on this bus; a couple of you will have to get off.

Compare this:

There are far too many people on this bus. At least twenty of you will have to get off.

[rania_k]

Thanks Rover and fivejedjon

I don't know why the author used this term, I find it confusing, that's why I thought of asking whether it was correct to be used like that.

[QuincessMdee]

[QUOTE=rania_k;707372]hi

can you help me with this sort of description:

is it correct to use the combination of "too many few"?
and if so, what does it mean? and when is it used usually?


I registered onto this site just because I saw this question and wanted to let you (renia_k) that it is not wrong to use "TOO MANY FEW" in a sentence... Or at one go.
The usage of such contradictory words next to each other is known as an::: OXYMORON
Other examples include:
1. open secret
2. larger half
3. original copies
4. tragic comedy
5. good grief
6. silent scream
7. only choice
8. working holiday

So no, it is not wrong to use "TOO MANY FEW"
Here's a sentence example I've thought up:

Question: How much Contribution do you give to cleaning the community?:
Answer: A Lot (Many): 123 A Little (Few): 500
~THERE ARE TOO MANY FEW ENTRIES FOR THE COMPETITION.~

You get? Not bad :)

[5jj]

I registered onto this site just because I saw this question and wanted to let you (renia_k) that it is not wrong to use "TOO MANY FEW" in a sentence...

Sorry, but it is not acceptable English.