"Few bookshops" vs "Less bookshops"

Question

"Few bookshops" vs "Less bookshops"

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Less bookshops' is used when referring to an uncountable noun like 'less water,' while 'few bookshops' is used with countable nouns like 'few books.'

Last Updated: March 27, 2024

Use 'few bookshops' when talking about a small number of bookshops that can be counted individually.

Examples:

There are few bookshops in this town.
She has few friends at school.
Few students attended the lecture.
We have few options left.
There were few people at the event.

Alternatives:

not many bookshops
a small number of bookshops
a limited number of bookshops
scant bookshops
scarce bookshops

Use 'less bookshops' when talking about a quantity of bookshops that cannot be counted individually.

Examples:

There is less water in the bottle.
We have less time to finish the project.
She has less money than her sister.
There are less bookshops in this area.
I need less sugar in my coffee.

Alternatives:

fewer bookshops
a smaller number of bookshops
not as many bookshops
a reduced number of bookshops
a diminished number of bookshops

Answer 1

Few bookshops

This phrase is correct when referring to countable nouns like 'few books.'

Answer 2

Less bookshops

This phrase is correct when referring to an uncountable noun like 'less water.'

"Few bookshops" vs "Less bookshops"

Few bookshops

Less bookshops

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