fewer / less

determiner / adverb/ˈfjuːər/ · /les/ 🔊 listen

fewer = a smaller number of countable nouns. less = a smaller amount of uncountable nouns. Tip: can you count them one by one? Yes → fewer. No → less.

📖 Meanings

1fewer = smaller number (countable)
"Fewer people came than expected." — (people = countable)
2less = smaller amount (uncountable)
"I have less time today." — (time = uncountable)
3Supermarket rule: '10 items or fewer'
"10 items or fewer in this lane." — (items = countable)

🔄 Commonly confused

much vs many →further vs farther →do vs make →

💬 Memory tip

fewer mistakes, fewer people, fewer cars (countable)less water, less time, less money (uncountable)less than 10 minutes (time always uses less)
❓ "___ traffic today!" (traffic is uncountable)