Fewer / Less
Decreasing the amount of something
Fewer with Count Nouns / Less with Noncount Nouns
| FEWER | LESS |
|---|---|
Fewer is used before a count noun to indicate a decreased number of items. |
Less is used before a noncount noun to indicate a decreased number of items. |
COUNT NOUN Do you want fewer lines and wrinkles on your face? |
NONCOUNT NOUN Do you want less wrinkling? |
Eat fewer sweets. |
Eat less candy. |
Drink fewer sodas/soft drinks. |
Drink less beer. |
Smoke fewer cigarettes. |
Inhale less tar and nicotine. |
Also see noncount nouns

Common Mistake
| ERROR | FIX |
|---|---|
*Eat more fruits and vegetables, get less wrinkles. |
Eat more fruit and vegetables, get fewer wrinkles. |
*Yellow highlighted words are examples of incorrect usage.
Related pages: Count vs noncount nouns fruit vs fruits | Much / More
Pop-Q "Fruits"
Practice 1
4.8 Million Americans Overweight
The country’s weight problem is worse than ever.
- Select the word that best completes the sentence.
- Double click on the radio button to check your answer. (Internet Explorer users may have to click the feedback box to force the answer to show.)
- Check your answer: an asterisk * indicates an incorrect answer.
