Word Usage
Mary W. Ng
June 26, 2009
fewer, less
Few means “a small number of”; the comparative form fewer means “a smaller number of.” Fewer is used with plural nouns. Little means “a small amount of”; the comparative form less means “a smaller amount of”.
| Incorrect: | Less ships are being upgraded. |
| Correct: | Fewer ships are being upgraded. |
| Incorrect: | There may be less than 10 houses left at Charming Lane by the time this newspaper is published. |
| Correct: | There may be fewer than 10 houses left at Charming Lane by the time this newspaper is published. |
Less is used with uncountable nouns or with plural nouns regarded as a single entity.
| Correct: | Less work means less stress. |
| Correct: | It took him less than 30 minutes to finish the race. |