Definitions
- Referring to a smaller number of countable items or people. - Talking about a reduction in quantity or amount of something that can be counted. - Used when comparing two or more countable things.
- Referring to a smaller amount or quantity of something that cannot be counted. - Talking about a decrease in the degree or intensity of something. - Used when comparing two or more uncountable things.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words indicate a decrease in quantity or amount.
- 2Both words are used to compare two or more things.
- 3Both words can be used as determiners or pronouns.
What is the difference?
- 1Countability: Fewer is used for countable nouns, while less is used for uncountable nouns.
- 2Degree: Fewer indicates a decrease in number, while less indicates a decrease in amount or degree.
- 3Usage: Fewer is used with plural nouns, while less is used with singular nouns.
- 4Form: Fewer is a comparative form of 'few', while less is a comparative form of 'little'.
- 5Exceptions: There are some exceptions to the usage of less with uncountable nouns, such as time, money, and distance.
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Remember this!
Fewer and less are both used to indicate a decrease in quantity or amount, but they differ in their usage. Fewer is used with countable nouns, while less is used with uncountable nouns. Additionally, fewer indicates a decrease in number, while less indicates a decrease in amount or degree.
