only (a) little; only (a) few

[zeryphex]

Oh dear. I got a bit confused about the topic. The thing is I'd like to know whether I can use both versions of the phrases without being scorned for that. I just can imagine myself sitting an FCE exam, and making some kinds of transformation on the sentences like the one below:

Can you get some more coffee because there isn't much left? (only)
Can you get some more coffee because there is only little left?

Wrong answer!

See...this is another example where it sounds awkward without an "a." If unsure, why not insert an "a" on a test or exam? I would think you'd less likely go wrong with "(only) a little" or "(only) a few."

Can you get some more coffee because there isn't much left?
(sounds fine)

Can you get some more coffee because there is only a little left?
(sounds broken or incomplete without an "a;" sounds better with an "a;" people usually would say that sentence with an "a" in everyday speech)

[Casiopea]

Actually, the correct choice of wording would be "awkward." I would usually hear only a little and only a few in speech. Technically, I guess these sentences are grammatically correct.

There's nothing 'technical' about it. These sentences are ungrammatical:

1. I need to go to the shops (and buy sugar). There's only little left.

2. I need some more eggs. There are only few left.

[Casiopea]

Oh dear. I got a bit confused about the topic.

These will definitely help:

1-language.com - Online English Course - Unit 15 A Few/A Little

http://www.better-english.com/grammar/few.htm

[zeryphex]

There's nothing 'technical' about it. These sentences are ungrammatical:

1. I need to go to the shops (and buy sugar). There's only little left.

2. I need some more eggs. There are only few left.

The more I read these sentences (and other examples) without the "a," the more I want to accept that it can be without an "a"...but I still usually hear people say the "a" in everyday speech. I really wasn't sure if it was grammatical or not. It just sounds awkward without the "a."

[Casiopea]

The more I read these sentences (and other examples) without the "a," the more I want to accept that it can be without an "a"...but I still usually hear people say the "a" in everyday speech. I really wasn't sure if it was grammatical or not. It just sounds awkward without the "a."

Ellipsis is common, especially in spoken language,

1. ?There is only little (sugar) left.
2. ?There are only few (eggs) left.

However, there is a marked semantic difference between a little / a few and little / few, which some speakers do not abide by. That's not to say they are wrong--no, on the contrary, it's just not the standard way. The standard is the benchmark from which all variants are born. Speakers modify it here and there, idiolects sprout, colloquialisms grow, dialects are born.

The poster, however, is not asking about variants, but rather a test situation, one that calls for standard usage.

[engee30]

Ellipsis is common, especially in spoken language,

1. ?There is only little (sugar) left.
2. ?There are only few (eggs) left.

It's only now that I've started to think of ellipsis in everyday speech. That's right, I sometimes find it difficult to repeat the exact words (in my mind, or orally) after someone has said something, just to make sure whether I've understood them, or to practice my interpreting skills.

The poster, however, is not asking about variants, but rather a test situation, one that calls for standard usage.

That's the point, and I'm really happy to have got the answer to my concern, thanks to you both, Casiopea and zeryphex.

[Casiopea]

You're most welcome.

[zeryphex]

^_^ v