Less vs. Fewer
Since they are similar in their meanings. They cause problems for beginners because it is difficult for new learners to choose when and where to use them.
What Are Their Differences?
' Less' refers to a reduction in the amount of something. While 'fewer' refers to a reduction in the number of something.
Differences
What They Refer to
- 'Less':
refers to an 'amount', not a 'number' and as a result, it is followed by a singular uncountable noun..
People produce less garbage.
The lawyer found
- 'Fewer':
refers to a number and as a result, it is used before plural countable noun..
We received fewer calls today.
I use
'Less' and 'Few' as Pronouns and Adverbs
- 'Less':
can be used as a pronoun or even as an adverb, after a verb or before adjectives and other adverbs.
Less is used to grow red roses.
'Less' refers to a reduction in the 'amount' of 'water'.
They eat after going on a diet.")
- 'Fewer':
cannot be used as a pronoun or adverb. It is an adjective and as a result, it can modify nouns, not adjectives. adverbs, or verbs.
Fewer
His mother is strict than mine.")
The Last Differences
- 'Less':
- adverb
- determiner
- pronoun
- suffix
As an adverb, less is used before 'adjectives' or other 'adverbs' and after 'verbs'. As you know, determiners are used before 'nouns' and in this case, 'less' is mostly used before 'uncountable' nouns, but it can also be used before plural countable nouns since it is common among native speakers. 'Less' as a pronoun is not immediately followed by a 'noun'. As a suffix, 'less' is added to some 'adjectives' to show the lack of the particular adjective.
Pink is my less favorite color. → adverb
Have some! I used
We seem to spend
He talked in the most
'Less' as a Preposition
- 'Fewer':
- Comparative adjective:
'Fewer' comes before the noun to refer to a smaller number.
Fewer petrol barrels are transported this year.
She has read
Using 'of' after 'Less' and 'Fewer'
Since 'less' can be used as a pronoun, it can be followed by 'of' before noun phrases and pronouns, but 'fewer' cannot be used before 'of' as it is an adjective.
Actually, in compare with the last two years, more of the company's employees are promoted and less
their advices were useful for me.)
Similarities
What They Mean
- 'Less' and 'Fewer':
both indicate a reduction in degree, number, or amount. It means that they are getting little in their quantities.
He has bought
Comparatives
- 'Less' and 'Fewer':
are used to compare things and give information that one of them is smaller in size, number, amount, or in general smaller in quantity.
I like Alex more. He talks
Talking about Distance and Money
'Less' is more likely to be used in indicating distances and amounts of money. Check out the examples.
This shirt is
It is