Less vs. fewer: Learn the difference

Key takeaways:

  • Use "fewer" for countable items (e.g., "fewer apples").

  • Use "less" for uncountable quantities or singular mass nouns (e.g., "less water").

  • Common errors arise because "less" is often incorrectly applied to countable nouns.

  • Exceptions include time, money, distance, and percentages, where "less" is acceptable (e.g., "less than 10 minutes").

  • Knowing the difference ensures clearer, more accurate communication.

Part of the series Grammar Debugged—English for Devs

English grammar can often be confusing, even for native speakers. One such tricky distinction arises between "less" and "fewer." These words are not interchangeable, yet they are frequently misused in writing and speech. This Answer will explain their differences and provide practical examples for correct usage.

Mastering "fewer" and "less" means fewer mistakes and less confusion in your writing.

Fewer vs. Less
Fewer vs. Less

How to use "less"

"Less" is used when referring to uncountable or singular mass nouns. It indicates a smaller quantity or amount.

Examples:

  • I drink less coffee these days. (Uncountable)

  • He has less interest in the project now. (Abstract concept)

  • The journey took less time than expected. (Time, an exception to the general rule)

In these cases, "less" highlights a smaller, undefined quantity.

How to use "fewer"

"Fewer" is used for countable nouns. It highlights a smaller number of individual items.

Examples:

  • Fewer students attended the lecture this week. (Countable noun: students)

  • The restaurant offers fewer vegetarian options than before. (Countable noun: options)

  • There are fewer cars on the road during the holiday. (Countable noun: cars)

"Fewer" emphasizes a reduction in countable items.

Exceptions to the rule

While the distinction between "less" and "fewer" is generally straightforward, there are notable exceptions:

  • Time: "Less than 10 minutes" is correct.

  • Money: "Less than $50" is standard usage.

  • Distance: "Less than 5 miles" is acceptable.

  • Percentages: "Less than 20% of respondents agreed."

These exceptions occur because these concepts, though quantifiable, are treated as singular units or amounts.

How to tell the difference

  1. Countable vs. uncountable: If the noun can be counted (e.g., "books"), use "fewer." If it cannot be counted (e.g., "water"), use "less."

    1. Example: There are fewer books and less water in the bottle.

  2. Test with numbers: If you can add a number before the noun (e.g., "5 apples"), use "fewer." If not, use "less."

    1. Example: Fewer apples, less noise.

  3. Replace with "amount" or "number": Use "amount" for "less" and "number" for "fewer" to check clarity.

    1. Example: The amount of sugar (less) vs. the number of mistakes (fewer).

Fewer vs. Less

Features

Fewer

Less

Definition

Refers to countable nouns (things you can count individually).

Refers to uncountable nouns (things measured as a whole).

Usage

Use with plural nouns.

Use with singular or mass nouns.

Examples

  • Fewer apples
  • Fewer people
  • Less water
  • Less sugar

Rule of thumb

Think "how many?"

Think "how much?"

Common mistakes

Incorrect: Less apples

Incorrect: Fewer water

Exceptions

Time, money, distance, and weight often use "less" even for countable measurements.

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A quick test to avoid mistakes

Test your understanding with these sentences:

  1. The supermarket checkout line has ________ items than before. (less/fewer)

  1. She spends ________ time on social media these days. (less/fewer)

  1. He drank _________water than usual. (less/fewer)

  1. The factory produced ________ cars this month. (less/fewer)

Common mistakes

Using “less” for countable nouns:

  • Incorrect: There were less people at the concert.

  • Correct: There were fewer people at the concert.

Using “fewer” for uncountable nouns:

  • Incorrect: Drink fewer coffee for better sleep.

  • Correct: Drink less coffee for better sleep.

Conclusion

Understanding when to use "less" and "fewer" is about recognizing whether you're describing countable or uncountable items.

  • Use "less" for uncountable quantities and singular mass nouns.

  • Use "fewer" for countable nouns.

  • Remember the exceptions, such as time, money, distance, and percentages.

Test your understanding: Less vs. fewer

Match the examples that demonstrate the difference between "less" and "fewer":

Match The Answer
Select an option from the left-hand side

There were _________ people at the event this year.

less

I spent ________ time on this project than expected.

fewer

We need _________ chairs for the meeting.

She drank ________ water than usual.

The recipe requires ________ than 2 cups of flour.

There were ________ cars on the road today.

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Frequently asked questions

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Why do people confuse "less" and "fewer"?

People confuse “less” and “fewer” because both indicate a reduction, but their usage depends on whether the noun is countable or uncountable, which isn’t always intuitive.

Is it "20% or less" or "20% or fewer"?

“20% or less” is correct because percentages represent a whole, which is uncountable.

Is it "7 or less" or "7 or fewer"?

“7 or fewer” is correct because “7” refers to a countable quantity.

Is it "10 minutes or less" or "10 minutes or fewer"?

“10 minutes or less” is correct because time is treated as a whole, making it uncountable.

Is tea countable or uncountable?

Tea is uncountable when referring to the substance (e.g., “I drank some tea”) but countable when referring to servings (e.g., “Two teas, please”).

Is it "2 hours less" or "2 hours fewer"?

“2 hours less” is correct because time is treated as an uncountable concept.

Is money countable or uncountable?

Money is uncountable when referring to the concept or total amount (e.g., “I need more money”). However, specific units like dollars or coins are countable.

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