How many is a few?
By semicolonp
@semicolonp (518)
Philippines
September 6, 2012 12:28am CST
As the title says, how many is a few? I have a pretty consistent view of a couple. It's 2 or more, but less than 3. A few, I'm more ambivalent. It's more than 3 and maybe up to 6? But never more than 10.
I'm asking this because I invited a few friends over and a friend asked if she can invite a few more. I was thinking, "Okay, probably gotta expect 10 or so people," but she brought 2 dozens.
I know the term is entirely relative but what do YOU think of when someone says a few? When they say, "Here, I'l give you a few donuts," or "A few of us are going out tonight," what's the average number you're likely to expect?
1 person likes this
3 responses
@semicolonp (518)
• Philippines
6 Sep 12
Yeah, I'm pretty consistent about a couple. I describe it as "2 or more, but less than 3" in case of fractions. In the case of 2 and a half liters, I'll still say a couple of liters.
But now that you've brought in a handful and I don't actually have a set number for that. It's just always: couple
1 person likes this
@lkbooi (16070)
• Malaysia
7 Sep 12
Hi semicolonp, to me "a few" is more than a couple and less than ten 
May be your friend invited about ten friends initially but never thought that some friends would invite their respective close friend to join and made the "a few" such a big number I suppose 
I have such resumption for I did come across such situation before and the the number of a few like three to ten had turned to be very much bigger than what I wished. I think to avoid having the same embarrassing situation like preparing food and drink in a party or planning a trip it's nice and wise to give a certain number clearly better than to say a few or several huh...
Happy posting and have a nice day 
May be your friend invited about ten friends initially but never thought that some friends would invite their respective close friend to join and made the "a few" such a big number I suppose I have such resumption for I did come across such situation before and the the number of a few like three to ten had turned to be very much bigger than what I wished. I think to avoid having the same embarrassing situation like preparing food and drink in a party or planning a trip it's nice and wise to give a certain number clearly better than to say a few or several huh...
Happy posting and have a nice day 
