What does this mean: "Few a few. Little a little."?

Question

I'm a student of Journalism. My prof asked me that last night, and I must answer it today. Please help me. Just give me your wild guesses. Thanks!

Answer 1

Good question.

A little means there is a small amount of something. But little means almost none. Hence, a little is more positive. Consider the examples;

I have a little homework. (I have some homework, a small amount)
I have little homework. (The amount is so small, almost none)

Apply the same thing to a few and few.

Few students wanted to volunteer...(sounds unsatisfied with the number)
A few students wanted to volunteer... (like "Some students wanted to volunteer")

Now, the difference is clear. A few sounds more positive whereas few implies some kind of a criticism.

Answer 2

3 a 3 a 1 a 1

Answer 3

Frankly, I have no idea. "Few" and "little" are adjectives, the construction has no verb(s) and no noun(s). As pithy words of wisdom, I'd say it's a miss. Perhaps your prof was trying to make a point about intelligible writing. Maybe something like "A capital letter at the front and a period at the end do not a sentence make" Maybe, though I really REALLY hope not, it's taken from student's PhD thesis.

Answer 4

May be they can mean the following:
-Make few(lessen) those which are already few and make little(degrade)those which are already left little of.
-less very less and small very small(stress on the condition of the object)
-step by step
But it depends a lot on the context and use for the authors and poets write anything!
||Good Luck||

Answer 5

i'd have to tell the prof that i know few means small in number and little means small in amount or size, but that i haven't a clue what his/her question meant.

you sure you heard it correctly?

Answer 6

Your professor sounds like he or she is smoking dope with a question like that. It makes no sense.

Answer 7

just say in loud voice "All Your Base Are Belong To Us!!!!!!"