There is no distinction: less is to fewer as more is to more. Show activity on this post. Show activity on this post. My opinion is that, in principle, 'less' relates to uncountable nouns and 'fewer' relates to countable nouns. However, the concept in the mind of the speaker has an influence.
What is the meaning of fewer?
The meaning of FEWER is a smaller number of persons or things. How to use fewer in a sentence. Less vs. Fewer: Usage Guide
How do you use few and fewer in a sentence?
10 items or more; 10 items or less/fewer; one more bell to answer; one less bell to answer; weighing 100 pounds more; weighing 100 pounds less; 500 words or more; 500 words or less; more than 10,000 miles; less than 10,000 miles; Share. Improve this answer. Follow edited Sep 28, 2010 at 17:44. answered Sep 28, 2010 at 17:11. nohat ♦ nohat. 66.5k 12 12 gold badges 192 …
What is the meaning of few of a smaller number?
fewer of a smaller number: He said the same thing, but in fewer words. Not to be confused with: less – to a smaller extent, amount, or degree: He was less than courteous. [Few and fewer should be used only before a plural: a few cookies remained; fewer people attended. Less should modify only singular nouns: less money, less courage. When a plural noun suggests a combination …
What is less used of things that are countable?
Context example: fewer trains were late. Similar: less ((nonstandard in some uses but often idiomatic with measure phrases) fewer). Also: few (a quantifier that can be used with count nouns and is often preceded by 'a'; a small but indefinite number). less ((comparative of 'little' usually used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning not as great in amount or degree). Domain usage: …
Do fewer mean more?
(comparative of `little' usually used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning not as great in amount or degree. less. (nonstandard in some uses but often idiomatic with measure phrases) fewer. Antonyms: more. (comparative of `many' used with count nouns) quantifier meaning greater in number.
Why is it Fewer not less?
According to usage rules, fewer is only to be used when discussing countable things, while less is used for singular mass nouns. For example, you can have fewer ingredients, dollars, people, or puppies, but less salt, money, honesty, or love. If you can count it, go for fewer. If you can't, opt for less.16-Jan-2015
What can fewer mean?
: a smaller number of persons or things. fewer. adjective. Definition of fewer (Entry 2 of 2) comparative of few.
Is it less and less or fewer and fewer?
The simplest answer is that less and fewer are in variation and always have been. Just as more can be used with both count and noncount nouns, so can less. In other words, less is the default, but we also have the option of using fewer when it comes immediately before a plural count noun.06-Oct-2014
Do you say one less or one fewer?
Some prescriptivists argue that even the extremely rare and completely unidiomatic one fewer should be used instead of one less (both when used alone or together with a singular, discretely quantifiable noun as in "there is one fewer cup on this table"), but Merriam–Webster's Dictionary of English Usage clearly states ...
How do you remember the difference between less and fewer?
The basic rule to remember in less vs. fewer is: Less means a smaller amount or "not as much" and is used when describing singular or uncountable nouns. Fewer is defined as not as much and is used when describing plural or countable nouns.
Does fewer mean subtract?
Yes, usually, "fewer" means subtraction, but some questions might try to trick you!
What does fewer mean in statistics?
Fewer - Definition with Examples Smaller quantity or amount.
Is fewer countable or uncountable?
Fewer means “not as many.” We use fewer with countable nouns like cookies. ... Less means “not as much.” We use less with uncountable nouns like milk.