Less vs Fewer

In everyday English, it’s common to hear people use “less” and “fewer” interchangeably, but did you know there’s a big difference between the two? In fact, people very frequently make a mistake when they say “less.”

While they both words speak to a reduced quantity of something, each has its own specific context. Let’s dive in and unravel the mystery behind these commonly mixed-up words, ensuring you use them with confidence and accuracy.

The Difference Between “Less” and “Fewer”

“Less” should be used with uncountable nouns – things that can’t be individually quantified. This includes abstract concepts like time, money, and distance, as well as substances such as water, sugar, or rice.

On the other hand, “fewer” is used with countable nouns. This refers to items that can be tallied individually, like apples, books, or cars.

Examples of “Less“

• Money: “I have less money than I did last month.”
• Time: “We have less time to finish the project than we thought.”
• Distance: “The new route is less than 10 miles.”
• Quantity (uncountable): “Add less sugar to make the tea less sweet.”
• Weight: “After dieting, she weighed less than before.”
• Effort: “With the new machine, we need less effort to get the job done.”
• Noise: “There’s less noise in the library than in the cafeteria.”
• Liquid: “Pour less milk if you want your coffee to be stronger.”

Examples of “Fewer“

• Countable items: “There are fewer students in class today than yesterday.”
• Occurrences: “Fewer accidents occurred this year compared to last.”
• Objects: “I noticed fewer books on this shelf.”
• Pages: “The new edition of the book has fewer pages.”
• Participants: “Fewer people signed up for the marathon this year.”
• Errors: “Her essay had fewer mistakes after she proofread it.”
• Items: “To use the express lane at the supermarket, you should have 10 items or fewer.”

Common Pitfalls and Guidance

A common area of confusion emerges when “less” is mistakenly used before plural nouns. This is frequently heard in informal settings even though it is incorrect. For instance, while “less cars on the road” might be colloquially accepted, the grammatically correct form is “fewer cars on the road.”

A common area of confusion emerges when “less” is mistakenly used before plural nouns. This is frequently heard in informal settings even though it is incorrect. For instance, while “less cars on the road” might be colloquially accepted, the grammatically correct form is “fewer cars on the road.”

A simple rule to keep in mind is: If you can count it, go with “fewer.” If you can’t count it, “less” is your word. Thus, we can say “two people” or “ten people,” so we can say “fewer people.” To say “less people” is completely wrong.

That said, English, with its intricacies, does present exceptions:

• When discussing measurements or amounts seen as a single entity, even if they pertain to countable items, “less” is appropriate. For instance, “less than 50 dollars” or “less than five miles.”
• Certain fixed phrases, like “one less thing to worry about” or “less than perfect,” also defy the standard rule.

Why the Distinction is Crucial

Precision in language is the cornerstone of clear and effective communication. Correctly using “less” and “fewer” can prevent ambiguities. It’s paramount for learners, especially those new to English, to discern this distinction to sidestep common blunders and to ensure their message is conveyed as intended.

In summary, while “less” and “fewer” might appear interchangeable to the untrained eye, grasping their subtle differences can significantly elevate your linguistic prowess. As you navigate the complexities of the English language, endeavour to utilise these words in their appropriate contexts. This diligence will pave the way for a more sophisticated command of English grammar and a heightened ability to articulate with precision.

You can see more common grammatical mistakes here.

Test and Explanation – “Less” vs “Fewer”

Here’s a visual explanation of the difference. I posted in this on my Twitter/X account some months ago. You can follow me there for daily grammar lessons.