One of the most common questions English learners ask is whether to say there is a few or there are a few. The short answer is that there are a few is the grammatically correct choice. Because a few refers to a small number of countable items, it functions as a plural subject and requires the plural verb are. Understanding this distinction not only helps you avoid a frequent grammar mistake but also sharpens your overall command of subject-verb agreement in English.
Short version: it depends. Long version — keep reading Worth keeping that in mind..
Quick Answer: There Are a Few, Not There Is a Few
If you are choosing between there is a few and there are a few, always select there are a few. The phrase a few means “some” or “a small number of,” and it is used with plural countable nouns such as books, students, apples, or opportunities. Since the noun being referred to is plural, the verb must also be plural.
Correct: There are a few cookies left in the jar.
Incorrect: There is a few cookies left in the jar Not complicated — just consistent. Surprisingly effective..
Using is with a few creates a subject-verb agreement error that native speakers will immediately notice, even if they cannot always explain the rule behind it.
Why “Are” Is the Correct Verb
In sentences that begin with there, the word there is not the real subject. So the actual subject comes after the verb. Which means it is an introductory word, often called an existential there. So, the verb must agree with the noun phrase that follows it.
Look at the structure:
There + verb + a few + plural noun
Because a few introduces a plural noun, the verb must be plural:
- There are a few people waiting outside.
- There are a few errors in this report.
- There are a few options we can consider.
If you replace a few with some, the logic becomes even clearer. You would never say There is some people; you would say There are some people. The same rule applies to a few Nothing fancy..
Countable vs. Uncountable Nouns
The confusion often arises because English uses different quantifiers for countable and uncountable nouns. Knowing which category your noun falls into makes the verb choice automatic It's one of those things that adds up..
Use “A Few” with Countable Nouns
Countable nouns are things you can count individually. They have both singular and plural forms Small thing, real impact..
- a few days
- a few ideas
- a few mistakes
- a few friends
With these, you always use are:
- There are a few days left before the deadline.
- There are a few ideas worth discussing.
Use “A Little” with Uncountable Nouns
Uncountable nouns refer to things that cannot be counted individually, such as water, information, advice, or furniture. With these, you use a little and the singular verb is Most people skip this — try not to. That's the whole idea..
- There is a little water in the bottle.
- There is a little time left.
If you mistakenly use a few with an uncountable noun, both the quantifier and the verb become incorrect:
- Incorrect: There are a few informations.
- Correct: There is a little information.
“A Few” vs. “Few” vs. “Very Few”
Another layer of confusion involves the difference between a few, few, and very few. All three are plural and require are, but they carry different meanings Most people skip this — try not to..
| Phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| a few | some; a small but sufficient number | There are a few seats available. |
| few | not many; almost none (negative emphasis) | There are few seats available. |
| very few | an extremely small number | There are very few seats available. |
Notice that even though few and very few have a negative or limiting meaning, they still take the plural verb are because they modify plural nouns:
- There are few people who know the truth.
- There are very few reasons to delay the project.
Examples in Context
Seeing the phrase in full sentences helps cement the correct usage. Here are examples across different situations:
Daily conversation:
- There are a few things I need to buy at the grocery store.
- Are there a few minutes left in the meeting?
Academic writing:
- There are a few studies that support this hypothesis.
- There are a few exceptions to this grammatical rule.
Professional emails:
- There are a few updates regarding the project timeline.
- There are a few candidates who meet all the requirements.
In every case, a few refers to multiple items, so are is mandatory.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even advanced learners sometimes hesitate with there is a few or are a few. Below are the most frequent errors and quick ways to fix them.
Mistake 1: Treating “a few” as singular
Some learners assume that because a few describes a small quantity, it
