Fewer Or Less In English: Navigating The Grammar Maze (Easy Explanation)

Introduction

Choosing between fewer or less can be confusing. Understanding when to use each term can significantly enhance your communication skills. In this blog post, we’ll delve into the rules, exceptions, and some helpful tips to ensure you always make the right choice.

Fewer or less?

Fewer and less are quantifiers. Sometimes, it can be confusing to between which to use: fewer or less?

Here are some general rules that you can follow:

When To Use Fewer

Let’s start with “fewer.” This term is reserved for countable nouns—things that can be counted or typically have a plural form, like friends, books, or students. Here are a few examples to illustrate its correct usage:

There are fewer customers these days than last summer.
I should eat fewer candies.
There are fewer cookies in the box.

When to Use Less

On the other hand, “less” is employed with uncountable nouns—things that cannot be counted or lack a plural form, such as money, bread, or water. Here are some examples to illustrate the correct usage of “less”:

He has less money.
There is less drinking water in the village because of the drought.
You should spend less time playing video games.

Exceptions

While it’s generally accepted that “less” pairs with uncountable nouns and “fewer” with countable nouns, there are exceptions. “Less” can also be used with counting nouns that denote distance, amount, or time. Here are some examples:

Less With distance

Less can be used when referring to a distance:

Example: “The destination is less than two miles from here.”

Here, “miles” is a countable noun indicating distance. However, when emphasizing the proximity of a location, “less” is employed. For instance, if providing directions, you might say, “The park is less than two miles from here.”

Less With A Sum of Money

Less is also used with a sum of money as in the following example:

Example: “Less than five dollars.”

Here, “dollars” is a countable noun representing individual units of currency. However, when we use the phrase “less than twenty dollars,” we are not focusing on counting the individual bills or coins; instead, we are referring to the total amount as a continuous, undivided sum.

Less With Units Of Time

Less is preferred with units of time:

Example: “Less than two years.”

Here, “years” is a countable noun representing individual units of time. However, when we use the phrase “less than five years,” we are not counting the individual years separately; instead, we are expressing a continuous duration or period of time as a whole.

Less With Units Of Weight

The phrase “less than ten ounces” is another example of using “less” with a specified amount or quantity, and it falls under the general rule that associates “less” with uncountable nouns.

Example: “Less than ten ounces.”

Here, “ounces” is a countable noun representing individual units of weight. However, when we use the phrase “less than ten ounces,” we are not focusing on counting the individual ounces separately; instead, we are expressing a continuous amount or quantity as a whole.

Less With statistic figures

The term “less” is also used with a numerical figure:

Example: “Less than 10,000 people.”

Here, “people” is a countable noun representing individuals. In the context of statistical enumerations, the use of “less” is appropriate because we are not counting each individual person separately. Instead, we are expressing a total quantity of people as a collective, undivided group.

Less With Percentages

Less is also used with a percentage:

Example: “Less than five percent.”

In this context, “percent” is a countable noun representing a proportion or percentage. When we use the phrase “less than five percent,” we are emphasizing that the proportion or share is not more than, or is lower than, five percent.

Example Sentences with Fewer and Less

Here are 20 example sentences using “fewer” and “less”:

Fewer:

There are fewer students in the advanced math class this semester.
I have fewer books on my shelf after donating some to the library.
The bakery had fewer cupcakes available after the morning rush.
We need fewer chairs for the conference room setup.
The new policy resulted in fewer complaints from customers.
She noticed fewer cars on the road during the holidays.
It’s essential to have fewer distractions when studying for exams.
The company hired fewer interns this year due to budget constraints.
The smaller class size allows for fewer disruptions during lessons.
The museum exhibit attracted fewer visitors than expected.

Less:

He has less money in his wallet than he thought.
The drought led to less water in the reservoir.
It’s crucial to spend less time on social media for increased productivity.
She decided to buy less furniture to create a minimalist living space.
The project requires less effort than initially anticipated.
We should consume less sugar for a healthier lifestyle.
The city experienced less traffic during the holiday season.
The store has less inventory during the off-season.
The team experienced less stress after implementing a new workflow.
It’s advisable to eat less processed food for a balanced diet.

Summary

Context	Fewer Or Less
Countable Nouns	– Fewer students attended the seminar. – The older model has fewer features. – We need fewer chairs for the event.
Uncountable Nouns	– The recipe requires less sugar. – He has less patience with repetitive tasks. – She has less confidence in her decision-making skills.
Units of time, Amount of money, Distance, statistical figures, percentages	– We’ll arrive in less than two hours. – Fewer than ten people attended the meeting. – It’s less than five miles to the nearest gas station. – Ten percent of the people interviewed were in favor of the bill. – He bought it for less than five dollars.

Conclusion

Choosing between fewer or less in English presents an interesting linguistic challenge. Despite having established rules for their usage, making the correct choice can be perplexing. As a general rule, “fewer” is associated with countable nouns, while “less” is linked to uncountable ones. However, complications arise when dealing with phrases involving distance, weight, amount, etc., where “less” is favored, even if countable nouns such as dollars or miles are included.

Fewer or Less?

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