What is the Difference Between Few and Less?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The difference between "few" and "less" lies in their usage with countable and uncountable nouns.
- Few is used with countable nouns, which are nouns that can be counted (e.g., one cat, two cats). For example:
- There were fewer tomatoes in the basket than we had hoped.
- Billy has fewer toys than his older brother.
- Less is mainly used with uncountable nouns, which are nouns that cannot be counted (e.g., water, sand, money). For example:
- A secretary makes less money than a CEO.
- She earns less than fifty dollars per hour.
However, the rule is not strict, and there are exceptions. For instance, although money can technically be counted, it is often thought of as a singular idea and takes a singular verb. In such cases, use "less". For example:
- She has less than twenty dollars left.
In general, if the noun is plural, use "fewer"; if it's singular, use "less". However, the safest bet is to use the singular/plural noun rule: use "fewer" when modifying a plural noun and "less" when modifying a singular noun.
Comparative Table: Few vs Less
The difference between "few" and "less" lies in their usage with countable and uncountable nouns. Here is a table summarizing their usage:
| Comparative Form | Countable Nouns | Uncountable Nouns |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer | Apples, cats, books, etc. | Not used |
| Less | Not used | Water, sand, money, etc. |
- "Fewer" is the comparative form of "few" and is used with countable nouns, which are nouns that can be counted (e.g., one apple, two apples).
- "Less" is the comparative form of "little" and is used with uncountable nouns, which are nouns that cannot be counted (e.g., water, sand, money).
For example:
- I have fewer apples than I need for the recipe.
- A secretary makes less money than a CEO.
Note that "less" can also be used before a plural noun in informal speech, but this is not considered typical.