What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
fewer
Example
There are fewer students in the classroom today. [fewer: determiner]
Example
I need to buy fewer apples this week. [fewer: pronoun]
less
Example
I have less sugar in my coffee than you do. [less: determiner]
Example
She feels less stressed after taking a break. [less: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Less is more commonly used than fewer in everyday language. Less is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while fewer is less common and is typically used in more formal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between fewer and less?
Fewer is considered more formal than less, and it is often used in written language, such as academic papers or news articles. Less is more casual and is commonly used in everyday conversation.
