|
ESL Forum:
Techniques and methods
in Language Teaching
Games, activities
and teaching ideas
Grammar and
Linguistics
Teaching material
Concerning
worksheets
Concerning
powerpoints
Concerning online
exercises
Make suggestions,
report errors
Ask for help
Message board
|
ESL forum >
Ask for help > So few people vs Such few people.....
So few people vs Such few people.....
|
Greek Professor
|
So few people vs Such few people.....
|
|
Greetings to everyone.....
A little confused....  ...I came across this multple choice ....
"I hear her party was not much of a success."
�Yes, there were _______ people there."
a. so few b. so a few c. such a few d. such few....
Of course A is the answer...but can i please have a second, third opinion for D please....
As i have seen both phrases in such a sentence....
Thanks in Advance |
21 Feb 2010
|
|
|
|
eng789
|
|
I would think that - very few - should have been an option.
I don �t think - such few- is an option.
Hope this helps.
Barbara |
21 Feb 2010
|
|
|
donia
|
Well I think "very few" would be a better answer cause here the meaning is negative and I think we often need to put "a" before such.
e.g He is such a lazy man etc.
|
21 Feb 2010
|
|
|
Greek Professor
|
|
The answer is so few... but I need a justification for D ...
B and C... are not the problem... it �s A and D... |
21 Feb 2010
|
|
|
Olindalima ( F )
|
hi
Interesting point, so far no one has given a fair explanation, seems to me.
Third choice sounds me a little strange, though I can �t give a fully grammar explanation. May be because "few" and " people" are plural and "a " is singular.
My opinion, "Such a " always refers to singular - such a pretty girl, such a nosy woman" such a + singular.
Waiting for some other opinions.
Have a nice Sunday
linda
|
21 Feb 2010
|
|
|
Greek Professor
|
|
Thanks for your answer everyone...But like I said...my concern is neither b nor c... i just completed all four answers...
My BASIC problem is A and D
so few people....such few people...
The answer is so few people but i need a justification for such few people...why not this?
Since it is not the answer...how can i justify it....?
when I have seen it in a sentence... |
21 Feb 2010
|
|
|
pollyanna_pl
|
I would say :
so few = such a few
so + few / little = such a + few / little
Hope this helps1
|
21 Feb 2010
|
|
|
pollyanna_pl
|
And to me, both a and c are correct 
|
21 Feb 2010
|
|
|
yanogator
|
|
Olindalima is correct that "such a ..." is used only with an adjective, then a singular noun, so "such a few" + plural is not possible (for the sake of the others, since you have made it clear that this isn �t your question).
That said, I �ll get to Greek Prof �s question:
"such" deals with degree, not amount or number, so you can �t say "such few" or "such many", only "so few" and "so many".
Some examples to show the difference in usage:
so little money
so few people
so many worksheets
such happy students
such poor living conditions
such interesting classes
Bruce |
21 Feb 2010
|
|
|
