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The terms "fewer" and "less" are often confused, but they are used differently based on what they describe. Here’s a clear breakdown of the difference:

Fewer

Usage: "Fewer" is used with countable nouns—things that you can count individually.

Examples:

"There are fewer apples in this basket than in that one." (Apples are countable.)

"She has fewer books than he does." (Books are countable.)

"We need fewer chairs for the meeting." (Chairs are countable.)

Less

Usage: "Less" is used with uncountable nouns—things that cannot be counted individually and are typically measured in terms of volume, amount, or degree.

Examples:

"There is less water in the glass." (Water is uncountable.)

"She has less time to complete the project." (Time is uncountable.)

"We need less sugar in the recipe." (Sugar is uncountable.)

Summary

Fewer: Used with things that can be counted (e.g., apples, chairs, books).

Less: Used with things that cannot be counted individually and are measured in bulk or degree (e.g., water, time, sugar).

Examples in Sentences

Fewer: "There are fewer students in the class this semester."

Less: "There is less noise in the library than in the cafeteria."

Using "fewer" for countable nouns and "less" for uncountable nouns helps ensure clear and accurate communication.

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Bonita

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11mo ago

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