little、few与several这几个词用作形容词时均含“少量的”之意。
little : 只修饰不可数名词,含否定意义。
- There seems little hope of a ceasefire.
看来停火的希望很渺茫了。 - They have very little money.
他们手头钱很少。 - There's so little choice.
可选择的余地太小了。
few : 只修饰可数名词的复数形式,侧重指数量非常少,给人一种模糊概念,含否定意义。
- It was embarrassing how few people attended the party.
只有那么几个人去参加了聚会,真令人尴尬。 - He is among the few people I can trust.
他是为数不多的几个我能信任的人之一。
several : 修饰可数名词的复数形式,指至少有3个,但不会超过5、6个。
- I've seen "Gone with the Wind" several times.
我已经看过好几遍《乱世佳人》了。 - Several people have complained about the plans.
已经有好几个人抱怨过这项计划了。 - Several of my friends are learning English.
我有几个朋友在学英语。