few 与 a few 用法特点是，两者都只用于修饰或代替复数可数名词，其中few形式上肯定，意义上是否定的，其意为“很少”“几乎没有”；a few 表示肯定意义，其意为“几个”“一些”。如：
Besides the capital, there were few major cities. 除了首都，几乎没有大城市。
There were a few panels missing from the fence. 栅栏上有几根板条不见了。
但是，当few前使用了定冠词、物主代词或其他限定词时，则不表否定意义。
1. 定冠词+few
This is among the few books I really like. 这本书是我真正喜爱的书之一。
Only the few are likely to enjoy this music. 可能只有少数人会欣赏这种音乐。
John was among the few who really understood it. 约翰是少数几个真正了解它的人之一。
He fingered the few coins in his pocket. 他用手指摸了摸他兜里的几枚硬币。
2. 物主代词+few
She tied up her few belongings into a bundle. 她把自己仅有的几件东西束成一捆。
Playing golf is one of his few enjoyments in life. 打高尔夫球是他生活中少数乐趣之一。
One of his few strengths was his skill at mimicry. 他为数不多的强项之一就是善于模仿。
3. 其了限定词+few
Some few of the survivors are still living. 当时幸免于难的人有几个人还活着。
Some few have emerged as peculiarly influential. 一些人脱颖而成为极有影响的人物。
There are many fewer regulations governing cosmetics. 管理化状品的法规减肥少了许多。
注意，not a few的意思不是“很少”，而是“不少”或“相当多”，它与quite a few, a good few大致同义。如：
Not a few of my friends are vegetarian. 我朋友中不少人吃素。
There were a good few copies sold on the first day. 第一天就卖了不少许多本。