‘Less’ vs. ‘Fewer’: How to Use ‘Less’ and ‘Fewer’ Correctly

The words “less” and “fewer” are both adjectives that describe smaller quantities; however, they are used for slightly different purposes.

• “Fewer” describes countable nouns. If you are describing plural nouns, or nouns you can physically count, use the word “fewer.” You can have fewer dishes or meet fewer people, but you cannot have fewer love.
• “Less” describes uncountable nouns. If you are describing singular nouns or cannot physically count the noun you are talking about, use the word “less.” You can have less courage or less time, but you cannot have less apples.

“Less” is an adjective meaning "a smaller amount." It only applies to mass nouns that cannot be physically counted, but in modern English, the word “less” is often misused. For example, some grocery store express lanes are reserved for “10 items or less,” when the checkout line should in fact be reserved for “10 items or fewer.”

While simple on its face, there are some tricky instances to navigate when using the word “less.” Per English-language grammar rules, it is correct to state that you have "less money than Sophie" because money as a concept cannot be physically counted. It is incorrect to state that you have "less dollar bills than Sophie" because dollar bills can be physically counted. Note that “less” can also be an adverb that describes adjectives. A sweater can be "less yellow" than it used to be. A fan base can be "less passionate" than that of an opposing team.

Like the word “less,” the word “fewer” means "a smaller amount." However, per authoritative texts like the Chicago Manual of Style and Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of English Usage, the word “fewer” only applies to plural nouns that can be physically counted.

Remember this “fewer” rule: If you can count nouns, use “fewer,” even if it doesn't sound right. It may be tempting to use a phrase like, "Describe yourself in five words or less." To properly follow grammar rules, the phrase should be, "Describe yourself in five words or fewer."

There are three main ways to use the word “less” in a sentence.

1. 1. To describe mass nouns: "The new apartment has less space than the old one."
2. 2. To describe an imprecise amount: "Redo the recipe with less water, less milk, and less salt."
3. 3. As an adverb: "The puppy is less hyper than she used to be."

Follow one simple rule to correctly use “fewer” in a sentence: if the objects you are describing can be physically counted, use “fewer.”

• "We have fewer than a thousand tickets remaining."
• "There are fewer cars entering the downtown area."
• "Alfred the Great ruled for fewer years than his successor, Edward the Elder."

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