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。

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。

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表示的数量少，可在其前用too, so, very,rather修饰。

There were too few people at the meeting. 

参加会议的人寥寥无几。

3、其比较级和最高级分别为 fewer, fewest。

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。