Choose the sentence that is correct in both grammar and meaning:

The correct answer is Option (2) → The new stationery shop near our school gets few customers on weekdays, so the owner is thinking of closing it down.

“Few” and “a few”:

• “Few” means “hardly any”. It gives a negative idea.
• “A few” means “some”. It gives a positive idea.
• The owner wants to close the shop, so it must be getting hardly any customers. That is why few is correct.

Why the Other Options are Incorrect?

Option 1: The new stationery shop near our school gets a few customers on weekdays, so the owner is thinking of closing it down. — Incorrect. “A few” means “some”. Getting some customers is not a reason to close the shop.

Option 3: The new stationery shop near our school gets little customers on weekdays, so the owner is thinking of closing it down. — Incorrect. “Little” is used with uncountable nouns such as milk or time. “Customers” can be counted.

Option 4: The new stationery shop near our school gets a little customers on weekdays, so the owner is thinking of closing it down. — Incorrect. “A little” is also used only with uncountable nouns. “Customers” can be counted.