What does it mean when you say few and far between?
At wide intervals, scarce, as in Supporters of the amendment are few and far between. This expression originally was used very literally for physical objects such as houses appearing at widely separated intervals. Today it is also used more loosely. [
What is the difference between a couple a few and several?
More than several/a few/a couple of you have asked. Couple is used to refer to two things, but is also often used for a small number greater than two. Few is used the same way as couple and also for a number slightly greater than a couple. Several is usually used for a number greater than a couple and a few.
When someone says a few How many do they mean?
How many is a few? A few is generally considered to mean between two and several. Some people use a few to mean around three, but this is not a universal interpretation. Its meaning is highly relative to the context—it often depends on what’s being discussed, especially the scale and expectations.
Is a few the same as a couple?
The main difference between a couple and a few is that a couple is used to indicate a small number or amount of something, but usually at least two or more (generally, not more than 5) whereas a few may indicate a small number ranging from minimum 3 to even 10.
Is it few and far between or far and few between?
“Few and far between” has been the usual wording since the expression showed up in writing in the 1600s. But “far and few between” has appeared occasionally since the 1800s, and more frequently in the last couple of decades.
Is few and far between a cliche?
Here’s a list of some common clichés to look out for and avoid: at the end of the day. back on track. the fact of the matter. few and far between.
Is 2.5 a couple or a few?
A few is more than a couple, but not as many as several. +1; definitely agree. I’d regard “a couple of ” as usually meaning “2 or 3 “. @cindi I’d have said that couple is the range from 1.5 -> 2.5; although it’s only ever used in the context of integers.
How much is considered a couple?
The short (and rather unhelpful) answer is that while technically, “a couple” does in fact mean two, it is not always used that way in practice and if you ask several native speakers you’re likely to get different responses. “A couple”, “a few”, “several”… Words like this are used with various intent.
How many does a couple mean?
Does few mean two?
While many would agree that few means three or more, the dictionary definition is, “not many but more than one.” So, a few cannot be one, but it can be as low as two.
What is the difference between a few and few?
Few means “not many (people or things).” It is used to say that there are not a lot of people or things. A few means “some (people or things).” It is used to say that there are a small number of people or things.
What does the phrase few and far between mean?
few and far between. At wide intervals, scarce, as in Supporters of the amendment are few and far between. This expression originally was used very literally for physical objects such as houses appearing at widely separated intervals.
What are some words that mean few relations in Earth?
Few Relations in Earth Never Die few sandwiches short of a picnic few ticks few words Few, Proud, Emotional Few, Small Few, William few-flowered leek
What though my winged hours of Bliss have been few and far?
This expression is a quotation from Thomas Campbell’s poem “The Pleasures of Hope” (1799): “What though my winged hours of bliss have been, like angel-visits, few and far between?” At first it was largely applied to rare pleasures, but later it was extended to any rare occurrence. See also: and, between, far, few