If you are one of those people that uses the words “fewer” and “less” interchangeably, please stop. I hear you saying “less” all the time, when what you really mean is “fewer”. “Fewer” is falling out of the English vocabulary it seems, in favor of the much sloppier “less”. Don’t sound like trailer trash and learn the difference. I’m here to help you, and it’s so easy.
The two words have different meanings and should be used appropriately. In this article, we’ll explore the grammatical differences between “fewer” and “less” and provide examples of when to use each so that if you don’t know how to use them correctly, you will now. It’s quite easy.
“Fewer” is used when referring to items that can be counted individually. It’s really that simple. For example, “I have fewer books than you” or “The store has fewer apples than yesterday.” The word “fewer” is used with countable nouns, such as people, books, or apples, to indicate that the number is smaller in quantity.
On the other hand, “less” is used when referring to items that cannot be counted individually. For example, “I need less sugar in my coffee” or “There is less sand in the desert than rocks.” The word “less” is used with uncountable nouns, such as sugar, sand, or water, to indicate a smaller amount or quantity.
Here are some more examples to help clarify the difference:
- “I have fewer friends than you do.” (countable noun – friends)
- “I have less time to finish this project.” (mostly uncountable noun – time)
- “The recipe calls for fewer eggs than the last time.” (countable noun – eggs)
- “There is less pollution in the city now.” (uncountable noun – pollution)
- “I have fewer dollars in my wallet than you do.” (countable noun – dollars)
- “I need less milk in my cereal this morning.” (uncountable noun – milk)
By understanding the grammatical differences between “fewer” and “less,” you can use each word appropriately, avoid making common mistakes, sound more sophisticated and less like a hick, and also more educated. Remember, “fewer” is used with countable nouns, while “less” is used with uncountable nouns.