Fewer vs Less Exercises - Difference Explained

Fewer and Less Exercises

TLDR

✔️ Fewer = Countable (books, apples, students)
✔️ Less = Uncountable (water, sugar, time, money)
✔️ Exception: Use less with time, money, and distance.

Fewer vs. Less – The Basic Rule

Word	Used With	Example
Fewer	Countable nouns (things you can count)	There are fewer apples in the basket. 🍏
Less	Uncountable nouns (things you cannot count)	There is less water in the glass. 💧

📌 Tip: If you can count it (1, 2, 3…), use fewer. If you cannot count it, use less.

When to Use "Fewer"

Use fewer with countable nouns (things that have a plural form and can be counted).

✔️ Examples:

There are fewer students in the classroom today. (students = countable)
I need to eat fewer cookies. (cookies = countable)
We have fewer chairs than we need. (chairs = countable)

📌 Quick Test: Can you count it? If yes, use fewer!

When to Use "Less"

Use less with uncountable nouns (things you cannot count individually).

✔️ Examples:

There is less sugar in my coffee. (sugar = uncountable)
I have less time to study today. (time = uncountable)
She drank less milk than her brother. (milk = uncountable)

📌 Tip: If the noun is singular and uncountable, use less.

See also Countable and Uncountable Nouns

Common Exceptions

🚨 "Less" with Time, Money, and Distance
Even though time, money, and distance seem countable, we use "less" with them because they act as uncountable quantities.

✔️ Examples:

We have less than 10 minutes left. (time)
I spent less than $50 on dinner. (money)
It’s less than 5 miles to the city. (distance)

🚨 "Fewer" with Plural Numbers and Items
Even though numbers refer to amounts, they represent countable things, so we use fewer.

✔️ Examples:

There were fewer than 50 people at the event. (people = countable)
I have fewer than 100 followers on Instagram. (followers = countable)

Common Mistakes with Fewer and Less

Mistake	Incorrect	Correct
With countable nouns	There are less apples in the basket. ❌	There are fewer apples in the basket. ✅
With uncountable nouns	I drink fewer water. ❌	I drink less water. ✅
With time, money, and distance	I have fewer than 5 minutes. ❌	I have less than 5 minutes. ✅
With plural items	There are less cars on the road today. ❌	There are fewer cars on the road today. ✅

📌 Tip: If it’s plural, use fewer. If it’s singular, use less.

FAQ: Common Questions About Fewer vs. Less

Can I use "less" for plural nouns?

➡️ No! Use "fewer" for plural countable nouns.

❌ Less books → ✅ Fewer books

What about "less than 10 items" in supermarkets?

➡️ Technically incorrect! Supermarket signs should say "Fewer than 10 items," but "less" is often used informally.

Is "less people" correct?

➡️ No! "People" is countable, so say "fewer people."

Can I say "fewer money"?

➡️ No! "Money" is uncountable, so say "less money."

What if I’m not sure?

➡️ Ask yourself: Can I count it? If yes, use fewer. If no, use less.