less books vs few books

The phrases 'less books' and 'few books' are not directly comparable because 'less' is used with uncountable nouns, while 'few' is used with countable nouns. 'Less books' is incorrect because 'less' should be used with uncountable nouns like 'less water' or 'less sugar.' On the other hand, 'few books' is correct because 'few' is used to indicate a small number of countable items like 'few books' or 'few people.'

Last updated: March 31, 2024 • 1030 views

'Less books' is incorrect because 'less' should be used with uncountable nouns.

"less books"

The phrase 'less books' is incorrect. Instead, you should use 'few books' when referring to a small number of countable items.

Show examples from the web [+]

"She is less book writer here than playwright, and a great playwright at that."
I couldn't care less about my book tonight.
He has no less than three hundred books.
'Less you want to book another meeting with the Norn...
The cipher key, from Major Andre's own code book no less.
We know that children who read a lot and have easy access to books are less susceptible to dyslexia.
It's called "Tidying Up Art" and it's, as you can see, it's more or less a picture book.
If he spent more time doing his job and less writing that book of his.
The net book value is the gross book value less depreciation.
But if you want your parks clean and green, schools with more books and less crooks, then vote for me, and I'll set you free.
What about "more school books, less bricks"?
Second book less so.
Because less than three per cent of you people read books.
Your books are no less of quality.
The book party for "less than zero" will be amazing.
There are also some less serious things in the book trade.
You should read less gossip magazines and more books.
And this book was published less than five years ago.
This book costs more or less 20 euros.
Or it costs much less than it says on the books.

Alternatives:

few books
a smaller number of books
not as many books
a reduced number of books
a diminished quantity of books

'Few books' is correct because 'few' is used with countable nouns to indicate a small number of items.

"few books"

You can use 'few books' when you want to refer to a small number of countable items, such as books.

Show examples from the web [+]

I might give you a few books to start with.
Guess he wrote a few books before I was born.
He published a few books and several articles concerning his work in the East Indies.
He published a few books, but remained a recluse.
He publishes only a few books, such as those from Webster Tarpley.
Of course there exist far too few books where the main character plays the saxophone.
Maybe this will buy a few books for the new school.
Here are a few books your children can absorb.
There are a few books here, including the "Life of Petrarch".
I'll just sign a few books, and then we'll be out of here.
Okay, the notion that you can read a few books and come up with a definitive theory of comedy is absurd.
The history of hominoid classification in the second half of the 20th century is sufficiently complex to warrant a few books itself.
According to Diogenes Laërtius, he wrote very few books, but left a great number of disciples.
I would like to mention a few books, over the volume of Silvia Bencivelli, Why do we like music.
In all, Trollope wrote forty-seven novels, as well as dozens of short stories and a few books on travel.
Despite significant daily traffic to the site, only a few books have been sold in the course of several years.
The UK had quite a few books, to go along with their prolific comic series.
This is unfortunately one of the few books that gives a clear view of the global movement.
I hope you don't mind, but in addition to the necessary hardware, I brought a few books for you to read...
It is one of the few books written by a Spanish traveler during the medieval period (that of Ruy González de Clavijo is another example).

Alternatives:

not many books
a limited number of books
a small number of books
a handful of books
a couple of books

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less books vs few books

"less books"

"few books"

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