Less vs. Fewer — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 3, 2023
Less is used to indicate a smaller amount of uncountable nouns. Fewer is used to indicate a smaller number of countable items.
Difference Between Less and Fewer
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Key Differences
The words Less and Fewer both refer to a reduced quantity, but they differ in the type of nouns they modify. Less is used with singular uncountable nouns, indicating a diminished amount or degree. For example, when discussing time, money, or distance, Less is the appropriate choice. On the other hand, Fewer is used with plural countable nouns, suggesting a smaller number of individual items or units.
Another aspect that differentiates Less from Fewer is their common usage in everyday speech. People might often use Less even when Fewer is grammatically correct, especially in informal situations. For instance, while "less cars" is heard frequently, the grammatical standard is "fewer cars."
In terms of comparisons, Less is used when making comparative statements about non-quantifiable attributes or uncountable nouns. You'd say, "I have less confidence than before." With Fewer, the comparison focuses on countable quantities. A correct usage would be, "There are fewer students in the classroom today."
Lastly, while Less and Fewer have these general rules, English being a complex language means exceptions exist. However, understanding the basic distinction between these two based on countability is pivotal in most contexts.
Comparison Chart
Noun Type
Uncountable nouns
Countable nouns
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Indicates
Smaller amount or degree
Smaller number
Examples
Money, time, distance
Cars, students, apples
Comparative Use
Making comparisons about non-quantifiable attributes
Making comparisons about countable quantities
Informal Usage
Often used incorrectly for countable nouns
Should be used for countable nouns
Compare with Definitions
Less
Lower in degree
He is less interested in sports.
Fewer
A smaller quantity
Fewer people attended the event.
Less
Not as great in amount or quantity
Had less time to spend with the family.
Fewer
Reduced in number
There are fewer apples in the basket.
Less
Lower in importance, esteem, or rank
No less a person than the ambassador.
Fewer
Not as many
He made fewer mistakes this time.
Less
Consisting of a smaller number.
Fewer
Not as much in number
There are fewer chocolates left.
Less
With the deduction of; minus
Five less two is three.
Fewer
Limited in count
She has fewer friends in the city.
Less
To a smaller extent, degree, or frequency
Less happy.
Less expensive.
Fewer
Amounting to or consisting of a small number
One of my few bad habits. See Usage Note at less.
Less
A smaller amount
She received less than she asked for.
Fewer
Being more than one but indefinitely small in number
Bowled a few strings.
Less
Something not as important as something else
People have been punished for less.
Fewer
An indefinitely small number of persons or things
A few of the books have torn jackets.
Less
Comparative of little
I slept even less last night than I did the night before.
I like him less each time I see him.
Fewer
An exclusive or limited number
The discerning few.
The fortunate few.
Less
Used for constructing syntactic diminutive comparatives of adjectives and adverbs.
Randal is less welcome than Rachel but as her spouse we should invite them both.
This gadget is less useful than I expected.
I'm not any less happy for being on my own.
Fewer
Inflection of few; a smaller number.
Fewer women wear hats these days.
There are fewer tigers than there were a hundred years ago.
Less
To a smaller extent or degree.
The grammar book was less than (that is, not at all) helpful.
That this is a positive one makes it no less a stereotype, and therefore unacceptable.
Fewer
(comparative of `few' used with count nouns) quantifier meaning a smaller number of;
Fewer birds came this year
The birds are fewer this year
Fewer trains were late
Less
(Now chiefly of numbers or dimensions) little; of inferior size, degree or extent; smaller, lesser.
Less
A smaller amount of; not as much.
No less than eight pints of beer.
I have less tea than coffee.
You have even less sense than an inanimate object.
Less
Fewer; a smaller number of.
There are less people here now.
Now there are three less green bottles hanging on the wall.
Less
Minus; not including
It should then tax all of that as personal income, less the proportion of the car's annual mileage demonstrably clocked up on company business.
Less
(archaic) To make less; to lessen.
Less
(archaic) Lesser; smaller.
Less
A smaller amount or quantity.
Less is better.
I have less to do today than yesterday.
Less
Unless
Less
Unless.
Less
Smaller; not so large or great; not so much; shorter; inferior; as, a less quantity or number; a horse of less size or value; in less time than before.
Thus in less [time] than a hundred years from the coming of Augustine, all England became Christian.
Less
Not so much; in a smaller or lower degree; as, less bright or loud; less beautiful.
Less
A smaller portion or quantity.
The children of Israel did so, and gathered, some more, some less.
Less
The inferior, younger, or smaller.
The less is blessed of the better.
Less
To make less; to lessen.
Less
(comparative of `little' usually used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning not as great in amount or degree;
Of less importance
Less time to spend with the family
A shower uses less water
Less than three years old
Less
(usually preceded by `no') lower in quality;
No less than perfect
Less
(usually preceded by `no') lower in esteem;
No less a person than the king himself
Less
(nonstandard in some uses but often idiomatic with measure phrases) fewer;
Less than three weeks
No less than 50 people attended
In 25 words or less
Less
Used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs;
Less interesting
Less expensive
Less quickly
Less
Comparative of little;
She walks less than she should
He works less these days
Less
Smaller in amount
I have less money than you.
Less
Not as much
She exercises less frequently now.
Less
Lower in importance
His opinion is less significant.
Less
To a smaller extent
I like this one less than the other.
Common Curiosities
Can Fewer modify singular nouns?
No, Fewer is used with plural countable nouns.
Is "10 items or less" at supermarket checkouts correct?
Grammatically, it should be "10 items or fewer," but "less" is commonly used in such contexts.
Can Less be used to compare importance?
Yes, you can say something is "less important" than another.
Can I use Less with time?
Yes. For uncountable nouns like time, "less" is appropriate, e.g., "I spent less time studying."
What's the opposite of Less and Fewer?
The opposites are "more" for both Less and Fewer.
Is it "I've drunk less coffees" or "I've drunk fewer coffees"?
It's "I've drunk fewer coffees" since coffees are countable.
Is it "less people" or "fewer people"?
It's "fewer people." Less doesn't modify countable nouns like "people."
Can "fewer" be used with non-tangible items?
Yes, if they're countable. E.g., "He had fewer ideas."
How do I decide between Less and Fewer?
Determine if the noun is countable or uncountable. Use Fewer for countable and Less for uncountable.
Is "less than 5 miles" correct?
Yes. Distance, a non-countable measure, correctly uses "less."
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
