Difference Between "Fewer" and "Less"

Introduction

When it comes to teaching English grammar, few topics are as confusing for students as understanding the difference between “fewer” and “less.” The two words are often used interchangeably, but they have very different meanings, and they can’t be used interchangeably without causing confusion. In English, including American English the difference between “fewer” and “less” is one of the subtle nuances that can be difficult to master.

Fewer vs. Less. What’s the Difference?

When it comes to understanding the difference between “fewer” and “less,” the key is to remember that “fewer” is used for things that can be counted, and “less” is used for things that cannot be counted.

For example, if you are talking about a group of people, you would use “fewer” because people can be counted. On the other hand, if you are talking about an emotion such as happiness, you would use “less” because happiness cannot be counted.

The same principle applies to other words such as “many” and “much.” “Many” is used for things that can be counted, and “much” is used for things that cannot be counted.

Also, to better understand the difference between “fewer” and “less”, one needs to think of it in terms of quantity. “Fewer” is used when talking about a smaller number of something, while “less” is used when talking about a smaller amount of something.

For example, if you are talking about a group of people, you would say, “There were fewer people at the party” because you are talking about a smaller number of people. On the other hand, if you are talking about the amount of food at the party, you would say, “There was less food at the party” because you are talking about a smaller amount of food.

It is important to remember that both “fewer” and “less” can be used for both countable and uncountable nouns, but the meaning of the words will change depending on the context.

Examples of When to Use “Fewer” and “Less”

Here are some examples of when to use “fewer” and “less”:

• When talking about a smaller number of something, use “fewer”:

“There were fewer people at the party than I expected.”

• When talking about a smaller amount of something, use “less”:

“There was less food at the party than I expected.”

• When talking about a small amount of time, use “less”:

“I have less time to finish this project than I thought.”

• When talking about a small number of items, use “fewer”:

“I have fewer items than I thought I would need.”

Common Mistakes When Using "Fewer" and "Less"

One of the most common mistakes when using “fewer” and “less” is using them interchangeably. As we have seen, “fewer” is used for things that can be counted and “less” is used for things that cannot be counted.

Using “fewer” for something that cannot be counted or “less” for something that can be counted will lead to confusion and incorrect usage.

Another common mistake is to use “less” when talking about a smaller number of something. For example, if you are talking about a group of people, you would say “There were fewer people at the party”, not “There were less people at the party”.

Final Thoughts: “Fewer” vs. “Less”

In conclusion, understanding the difference between “fewer” and “less” can be tricky, but it’s important to remember that “fewer” is used for things that can be counted, and “less” is used for things that cannot be counted. It’s also important to remember that both “fewer” and “less” can be used for both countable and uncountable nouns, but the meaning of the words will change depending on the context. Finally, it’s important to avoid common mistakes such as using “fewer” for something that cannot be counted or “less” for something that can be counted.