英语few和a few两词有什么不同，其所表达意义及用法有什么不一样?
1. 比较 few 和 a few：两者均表示复数意义，few 表示数量很少或几乎没有，强调“少”，含有否定意义：a few 表示数量虽然少但毕竟还有，强调“有”，含有肯定意义。比较：
His ideas are difficult, and few people understand them. 他的想法很难懂，很少有人理解。
His ideas are difficult, but a few people understand them. 他的想法很难懂，但有些人能理解。
由于few本身具有否定意味，所以后接反意疑问句时要用肯定式。如：
He has few reasons for staying, has he? 他留下来理由不充分，对吧?
2. 有时为了强调few的意义，表示数量很少，可在其前使用too, so, very,, rather等修饰语。如：
There were too few people at the meeting. 参加会议的人寥寥无几。
There are so few that I can’t give you one. 太少了，我不能给你一个。
We met rather few people who spoke English. 我们没遇到几个会讲英语的人。
Very few people are really happy with their body shape. 真正对自己体形感到满意的人很少。
3. 其比较级和最高级分别为 fewer, fewest。如;
I’ll try to make fewer mistakes next time. 我下次要少犯一些错误。
I’ve got fewer problems than I used to have. 我现在的问题比过去少了。
The translation with the fewest mistakes isn’t always the best. 错误最少的译文并非总是最好的。
4. 用作形容词，其后可直接跟名词，无需用 of;但是，若其后名词之前有限定词修饰或者是代词或从句等，则必须要用介词 of。如：
Few of them know this. 他们当中没几个人知道这一点。
A few of these books are mine. 这些书当中有几本是我的。