Confusing Words > less and fewer

Confusing Words > less and fewer


LESS AND FEWER
LESS is the comparative of little (used especially before uncountable nouns).

Examples:

They always try to spend less money. (money -> uncountable noun)

Debra eats less chocolate (chocolate -> uncountable noun) and fewer biscuits (biscuits -> plural noun) than she used to.

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FEWER is the comparative of few (used before plural nouns).

Examples:

Despite an excellent programme (US spelling -> program) and speakers fewer delegates (delegates - > plural noun) attended our conference last year.

Brian has got fewer problems than he used to have. (problems -> plural noun)



Note: Less is quite common before plural nouns, as well as uncountable nouns, especially in an informal style.