As a student, you may struggle with countable and uncountable nouns but despair not for even native speakers have a hard time with it. It all becomes more complicated when you add fewer vs less into the mix. There’s actually a bloody war going on, which doesn’t seem to be ending any time soon.
the rule
The rule says that fewer refers to numbers that can be counted —countable nouns— and less to an amount that is measured —uncountable nouns.
fewer |
|
countable |
less |
|
uncountable |
Let’s see some fewer vs less examples.
| fewer cars | less time |
| fewer choices | less money |
| fewer people | less water |
the exceptions
There are a few key exceptions to this so-called rule that render it virtually useless, or at least misleading enough. The thing is that less is used also with countables nouns, even with plurals.
Less is frequently used with numbers.
| distance | less than 2 miles |
| time | less than four days |
| money | less than $50 |
| figures | less than 100 people |
Less is also very common before regular plural nouns in speech, but not in writting.
| less mistakes |
| less problems |
| less ideas |
The exception is as old as the language itself. However, it seems that two hundred years ago sticking strictly to the rule went into fashion. The trend was huge but less was still widely used. Nowadays, you can find supporters on both sides.
The debate is heated and some even lobby to have things their way. In 2008 Tesco, one of the most traditional supermarkets in the UK, had to change its signs at the quick checkouts. «10 items or less» was too problematic for some complaining customers. Now you should bring «Up to 10 items» if you want to skip long queues at the checkout.
For a good use, just comply with the exceptions for distance, money, time and numbers, both in writing and speaking. Follow the rule for the rest.
