"only few" or "only a few"

[hela]

Dear teachers,

Would you please tell me if "only + few" is possible in English or should it be "only + a few" ?

example : a) Although many qualify, only few homeless people get Social Security benefits.
b) Although many qualify, only a few homeless people get Social Security benefits.

Are the two sentences above correct ?

Thank you for your help.
Hela

[emsr2d2]

Dear teachers,

Would you please tell me if "only + few" is possible in English or should it be "only + a few" ?

example : a) Although many qualify, only few homeless people get Social Security benefits.
b) Although many qualify, only a few homeless people get Social Security benefits.

Are the two sentences above correct ?

Thank you for your help.
Hela

b) is correct.
a) would be correct if you removed "only".

Although many qualify, only a few claim.
Although many qualify, few claim.

[hela]

Thank you emsr2d2

[hela]

Would it be possible to replace "a few" by "some" ? Would the meaning be different ?

"Although many qualify, only a few / only some homeless people get Social Security benefits."

[5jj]

'A few' has, very roughly, a similar meaning to 'some'.
'Few' has, roughly' a similar meaning to 'not many'.