Little sweets vs. few sweets

Question

Which of the following sentences is grammatically correct?

1. She eats little sweets for her health.

2. She eats few sweets for her health.

If neither expression is common in everyday English, what is more casual expression?

Thanks in advance.

Avangi · Accepted Answer

She eats little [tiny] sweets for her health.(Little chocolates and candies make here healthy.)

We'd probably have to say, "Because of her health, she eats [very] few sweets."

"She is consciencious about her health, and eats few sweets."

"Few" is tricky in this regard.
We wouldn't say, "She smokes few cigarettes for her health."
"She smokes a few cigarettes for her health," would mean she thought this was better for her than not smoking at all.
"Every day she eats a few cloves of garlic for her health."

"I do X for my health." "X" must be a positive thing, not a negative thing. "I do pushups for my health."

"I don't drink beer for my health." (This means I do it for some other reason.)

The exact phrasing would depend on whether her bad health keeps her from doing it, or whether she practices some kind of abstinance in order to maintain good health.

CalifJim · Answer

Anonymous1. She eats little sweets for her health.
2. She eats few sweets for her health.

few goes with plurals. few sweets. for her health is misplaced, but I sense that that is not part of your question.

CJ

Avangi · Answer

CalifJimfor her health is misplaced

Good point. Thanks!
For her health, she eats few sweets is easier to parse.

Little sweets vs. few sweets

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