1
general::
some
a number of people or things or an amount of something, but not a large number or amount:
• There were some children playing in the street. • ‘Have we got any biscuits?’ ‘Yes, I’ve just bought some.’
a few
a small number of people, things etc. A few is used when there is a smaller number than some:
• ‘Are there any chocolates left?’ ‘Only a few.’ • I’m going out with a few of my friends.
a couple of
informal two or a very small number:
• Can I ask you a couple of questions? • I’ll just have a couple of drinks.
a little
a small amount of something:
• I speak a little Spanish. • He just wants a little sugar.
a certain amount of
a fairly large amount – use this to talk about people’s feelings, abilities etc:
• It’s a job that requires a certain amount of skill.
Longman-Thesaurus
2
general::
see AND THEN SOME; CATCH SOME RAYS; CATCH SOME Z'S; DIG UP (SOME DIRT); IN A (SOME) SENSE; IN SOME MEASURE; ONE OF THESE DAYS (SOME DAY); TAKE SOME DOING; TO SOME DEGREE; WIN SOME, LOSE SOME.
American Heritage Idioms