Understanding Fewer vs Less
If you’ve ever wondered whether to say “fewer people” or “less people,” you’re not alone. This is one of the most commonly confused grammar rules in English, and even native speakers get it wrong regularly.
The Simple Rule
Use FEWER for things you can count
Use LESS for things you can’t count
When to Use Fewer
Use “fewer” with countable nouns – things you can count individually:
- Fewer cookies (you can count: 1 cookie, 2 cookies)
- Fewer students (you can count students)
- Fewer hours (you can count hours)
- Fewer mistakes (you can count mistakes)
- Fewer cars on the road
When to Use Less
Use “less” with uncountable nouns – things you measure or experience as a whole:
- Less water (you don’t count water drops)
- Less time (time is measured, not counted)
- Less money (you don’t count individual dollars in this context)
- Less traffic (traffic is collective)
- Less sugar
Common Examples
| Correct | Incorrect |
|---|---|
| Fewer than 10 items | Less than 10 items |
| Less than $10 | Fewer than $10 |
| Fewer calories | Less calories |
| Less patience | Fewer patience |
| Fewer opportunities | Less opportunities |
The Supermarket Exception
You’ve probably seen signs that say “10 items or less” at the checkout. Technically, this should be “10 items or fewer” since items are countable. However, this usage has become so common that it’s widely accepted in informal contexts.
Quick Memory Trick
If you can put a number in front of it, use FEWER.
If you can’t put a number in front of it, use LESS.
Test:
✓ 5 apples → Fewer apples
✗ 5 juice → Less juice (correct!)
Special Cases
Money
“Less than $100” (correct) – Money as a concept
“Fewer than 100 dollars” (correct) – Counting individual bills
Time
“Less than an hour” (correct) – Duration
“Fewer than 60 minutes” (correct) – Counting units
Practice Sentences
- We need _____ volunteers this year. (fewer)
- There’s _____ sugar in this recipe. (less)
- I have _____ friends than I thought. (fewer)
- This job requires _____ experience. (less)
- We received _____ applications this month. (fewer)
Conclusion
While native English speakers often use these words interchangeably in casual conversation, understanding the distinction between fewer and less will help you communicate more precisely, especially in professional writing.
Remember: Fewer = countable, Less = uncountable. Master this rule, and you’ll sound more polished in your English communication.