fewer vs few

Both 'fewer' and 'few' are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Fewer' is used when referring to countable nouns, while 'few' is used when referring to an amount of something that is not countable.

Last updated: April 07, 2024 • 215 views

This is correct when referring to countable nouns.

"fewer"

Use 'fewer' when you are talking about a smaller number of countable items. It is the comparative form of 'few'.

Examples:

There are fewer people in the room today.
I have fewer books than you do.

Show examples from the web [+]

The meaning of FEWER is a smaller number of persons or things. How to use fewer in a sentence. Less vs. Fewer: Usage Guide.
6 days ago ... Views on the morality of a variety of practices are largely stable, though fewer say same-sex relations are morally OK and more say the ...
of a smaller number: fewer words and more action. ... (used with a plural verb) a smaller number: Fewer have come than we hoped.
DeterminerEdit. fewer (superlative fewest). comparative degree of few; a smaller number. quotations ▽.
Jun 15, 2020 ... Economic reasoning and past evidence suggest that this will lead people to have fewer children. The decline in births could be on the order ...
Fewer is the comparative form of few. Less and fewer with a noun. We usually use less with uncountable nouns. We use fewer with plural nouns:.
Choosing foods that are less calorie dense — meaning you get a larger portion size with a fewer number of calories — can help you lose weight and control ...
Jul 5, 2018 ... Americans are having fewer babies. At first, researchers thought the declining fertility rate was because of the recession, ...

Alternatives:

less
a smaller number of
not as many
reduced number of
decreased count of

This is correct when referring to an amount of something that is not countable.

"few"

Use 'few' when you are talking about a small amount of something that is not countable. It is the base form of 'few'.

Examples:

There is very little sugar left in the jar; there are only a few grains.
I have few friends in this city.

Show examples from the web [+]

Very few true believers have remained.
The Italian coastal troops presented few problems.
Played in a band until a few years ago.
Very few nonhuman mammals can imitate sounds.
Alas, few know and appreciate Shakespeare.
Something that very few outsiders know exists.
See you in a few hours.
Yet a few men might penetrate defense unnoticed...
Yet a few men might penetrate defense unnoticed...
Believing a few men could end rebellion.
Though deserving few shall be granted consideration.
But few know the reality behind his myth.
You have survived an ordeal few your age could.
Yet few have grasped deeper meaning.
Yet very few people bother learning to act.
Forget what happened these past few days.
However, few are above suspicion.
Very few know this place exists.
This eruption probably lasted only a few hours to a few days.
Expect just few posts, few declarations.

Alternatives:

a small amount of
scant
limited
insufficient
scarce

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fewer vs few

"fewer"

"few"

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