Sage-Tips

What is the rule for using fewer or less?

‘Fewer’ and ‘Less’ Generally, fewer is used when the number of things is counted (“fewer problems”) whereas less is used when the number is measured (“less trouble” or “less time”).

Are the words less and fewer interchangeable?

According to usage rules, fewer is only to be used when discussing countable things, while less is used for singular mass nouns. For example, you can have fewer ingredients, dollars, people, or puppies, but less salt, money, honesty, or love. If you can count it, go for fewer.

Why is it fewer and not less?

Fewer means “not as many.” We use fewer with countable nouns like cookies. Less means “not as much.” We use less with uncountable nouns like milk.

Is the phrase one less complaint correct?

One Less Complaint Using the “singular or plural” rule also explains another “exception.” People often think phrases such as “one less banana” are wrong because you can count bananas, but “one less banana” is correct because it is singular and you use “less” with singular nouns.

What does fewer than mean in math?

It states that one value is lesser than the other. The sign for less than is < and with this metric, we can compare numbers, weights, heights, and values. For example, there are 4 marbles in one Bowl A, and 7 marbles in Bowl B. On comparing the two, it is clear that Bowl A has fewer marbles than Bowl B.

What is the difference between fewer and less in grammar?

Less vs. Fewer, Singular or Plural Nouns Notice that fewer and less are adjectives. Necessarily, they modify nouns. Right off the bat, we can identify a key difference between the two words: The word less modifies singular nouns, while fewer modifies plural nouns.

What is the correct number of items in fewer or less?

The most common error of fewer or less is one you see every time you visit the grocery store. Consider the rules for the express lane: Twelve items or less. Based on the singular vs. plural rules, it’s clear that this is incorrect because twelve items are clearly plural.

What does it mean when a noun is uncountable?

When the noun is uncountable, chances are it’s an amount or chunk of something, or just a bunch of stuff you never think of counting and perhaps couldn’t count if you tried: less salt, less sand, less ambiguity. But: fewer grains of salt, fewer grains of sand, fewer ambiguities.

How do you modify singular nouns with less and plural nouns?

Again, follow the rule of modifying singular nouns with less and plural nouns with fewer: Less Singular Noun Sentence less alcohol These days, people consume less alcohol. less whispering The teacher urged less whispering. less discovery The defendant wanted less discovery. Fewer Plural Noun Sentence