The English language is full of subtle distinctions that can trip up even native speakers. One common confusion arises between “less” and “fewer”—two words that seem interchangeable but are actually governed by specific grammatical rules.
While using them incorrectly might not always disrupt communication, understanding when and why to use each term correctly demonstrates precision and a strong grasp of English.
This guide will walk you through the rules, exceptions, and everyday applications of “less” and “fewer,” so you can confidently use them in writing and speech.
Less vs. Fewer: A Simple Comparison
To begin understanding the difference, let’s start with basic definitions.
- Fewer is used with countable nouns, meaning things you can count individually.
- Less is used with uncountable nouns, which are seen as a mass or quantity that cannot be individually counted.
This distinction is rooted in grammar but also mirrors how we perceive quantity and measurement in the real world.
The Countable vs. Uncountable Rule
This is the golden rule for distinguishing between “less” and “fewer.” Ask yourself: Can I count this item individually or not?
- If yes, use “fewer.”
- If no, use “less.”
Countable (use fewer):
- Apples
- Cars
- Books
- People
- Chairs
Uncountable (use less):
- Water
- Time
- Sugar
- Money
- Traffic
For example:
- Correct: “There are fewer apples in the basket than yesterday.”
- Correct: “There is less water in the bottle than before.”
While the rule seems straightforward, the English language includes several quirks and exceptions that can blur the lines, which we’ll explore later.
When to Use “Less” vs. “Fewer”
Let’s explore this further by diving into the grammatical categories involved: count nouns and mass nouns.
Count Nouns vs. Mass Nouns
- Count nouns are items that can be counted individually. If you can add an “s” to make them plural and ask “how many?”, you’re dealing with a count noun.
- Example: bananas, books, coins
- Example: bananas, books, coins
- Mass nouns (or uncountable nouns) are substances or concepts that can’t be counted individually. These answer the question “how much?” instead of “how many?”
- Example: milk, advice, furniture
- Example: milk, advice, furniture
Use “fewer” with count nouns:
- “Fewer students attended the lecture.”
- “He made fewer mistakes this time.”
Use “less” with mass nouns:
- “There’s less air in the balloon.”
- “You should use less salt in your soup.”
Grammar Rules and Exceptions
While the rule is fairly consistent, there are important exceptions and gray areas where either usage might appear correct—or at least accepted in modern usage. These include:
- Distances, amounts, and time: Even when technically countable, these are often treated as mass nouns.
- “It’s less than 10 miles to the city.” (Not “fewer than 10 miles”)
- “I have less than five minutes.” (Correct, even though “minutes” are countable)
- “It’s less than 10 miles to the city.” (Not “fewer than 10 miles”)
- Money: Despite being made up of countable units (dollars, coins), money is usually treated as a mass noun.
- “He has less money than his brother.” (Preferred)
- “He has less money than his brother.” (Preferred)
These cases demonstrate that idiomatic usage and convention often override strict grammatical rules.
Common Examples of Less vs. Fewer in Sentences
To solidify the distinction, here are practical examples drawn from daily life:
Grocery Store Usage
One of the most visible examples of this grammar debate shows up in grocery stores.
- Correct: “10 items or fewer” (since items are countable)
- Incorrect: “10 items or less” (though widely used, it’s grammatically inaccurate)
This phrase has been a battleground for grammar enthusiasts, with many stores now adopting the correct version after public feedback.
Using “Fewer” in Sentences
- “There were fewer cookies in the jar after the party.”
- “She has fewer meetings today than usual.”
- “We encountered fewer problems with the new system.”
These sentences emphasize discrete, countable entities: cookies, meetings, problems.
Using “Less” in Sentences
- “This bottle contains less juice than the other one.”
- “He showed less interest in the topic.”
- “We need less noise in the library.”
In each case, “less” is modifying something that cannot be counted individually: juice, interest, noise.
People and Population
A tricky area involves discussing people. Because people are countable, “fewer” is correct.
- Correct: “There were fewer people at the event this year.”
- Incorrect: “There were less people at the event this year.” (common mistake)
However, “less” may still appear in broader or more abstract contexts (see exceptions below).
Exceptions to the Rule
English is a flexible, evolving language. Many common expressions and idiomatic phrases use “less” with countable nouns, even though they technically defy the rules.
Idiomatic Expressions
Some phrases are so ingrained in English that they’re accepted despite bending the rules. These include:
- “No less than…”
Example: “No less than 30 people volunteered.”
While “people” is countable, this phrase is used for emphasis and idiomatic effect. - “At less than…”
Example: “Tickets are available for less than 20 dollars.”
Although dollars are countable, the amount is treated as a mass or whole. - “In less than…”
Example: “I’ll be there in less than five minutes.”
Time is often treated as uncountable in these cases.
These phrases are accepted due to widespread usage and the way English has evolved. They aren’t considered incorrect in most style guides, especially when clarity and natural tone are preserved.
Phrases Where “Less” Is Commonly Used with Count Nouns
Several contexts treat measurable units (such as time, money, distance, and weight) as mass nouns, even when countable in form.
- Time: “We have less than 3 hours left.”
- Money: “That costs less than 50 dollars.”
- Distance: “The summit is less than 2 miles away.”
- Weight: “She lost less than 10 pounds.”
Why is this acceptable? Because the speaker is typically referring to a single collective amount, not the individual units.
Another example is percentages:
- “Less than 30% of the population voted.”
While “population” could refer to individuals, it’s treated as a single entity or concept here.
The Role of Style and Audience
Certain style guides, like the Associated Press (AP) and Chicago Manual of Style, may provide slight differences in their recommendations, especially when audience tone or clarity is more important than strict rule-following.
For formal or academic writing, it’s safer to follow the standard rule:
- Count nouns → fewer
- Mass nouns → less
However, for conversational or marketing content, idiomatic usage of “less” with countable nouns may be perfectly acceptable, or even preferable, for smoothness and natural tone.
Less vs. Fewer with Money
Money presents one of the most interesting exceptions to the standard “countable vs. uncountable” rule. Technically, money can be broken down into countable units—dollars, cents, coins, or bills. However, in general usage, money is treated as a mass noun, which is why we say:
- Correct: “I have less money than you.”
- Incorrect: “I have fewer money than you.”
The reason “less” is standard here is because when we speak about money in everyday contexts, we’re typically referring to the overall amount or value, not the number of bills or coins. This aligns with the same logic we use for substances like water or sugar: you can count drops or grains, but when discussing the concept as a whole, it’s treated as uncountable.
That said, when referring specifically to countable units like coins or dollar bills, “fewer” would be the correct choice:
- “He gave me fewer coins than last time.”
- “There are fewer $1 bills in circulation today.”
In summary, the word “money” by itself is considered uncountable, making “less” the appropriate word in most financial contexts unless referring to specific units.
Less vs. Fewer with Time
Another domain where “less” is used with a technically countable noun is time. Hours, minutes, and seconds are all individual units that can be counted, but in practice, we usually treat time as a mass noun when referring to it as a general quantity. As a result, “less” is preferred:
- Correct: “We have less time than we thought.”
- Incorrect: “We have fewer time than we thought.”
Even when the sentence involves actual numbers, the collective concept of time is seen as a singular quantity:
- “The exam should take less than 90 minutes.”
- “She spent less than two hours preparing.”
Again, if you were to focus on specific countable events involving time, “fewer” could make sense:
- “There are fewer sessions this week.”
- “We had fewer meetings this month.”
However, when speaking of time as a continuous span or duration, “less” is grammatically correct and widely accepted, even in formal usage. This applies to everything from casual speech to academic writing.
Less vs. Fewer with Weight
Weight is another measurement that follows similar logic to money and time. Pounds, kilograms, and ounces are countable units, but weight is perceived as a mass or collective quantity, so we use “less”:
- Correct: “She lost less weight on this diet.”
- Incorrect: “She lost fewer weight on this diet.”
Even in contexts with specific numbers, the idea of overall mass persists:
- “The package weighs less than 5 pounds.”
- “This recipe uses less than 250 grams of flour.”
Using “less” with weight is considered standard because the speaker is usually referencing a total amount rather than counting individual pounds or grams. However, as with other exceptions, if the speaker is specifically focusing on the number of units (like five 1-kg weights), “fewer” could apply, although such phrasing is rare:
- “There are fewer weights in this set than in the previous one.”
In general, stick with “less” when talking about weight as a concept or measurement.
Less vs. Fewer with Percentages
Percentages can be tricky because whether you use “less” or “fewer” depends entirely on the noun the percentage refers to—whether it’s countable or uncountable.
Here’s how to decide:
- Use fewer if the noun is countable.
- “Fewer than 30% of students passed the exam.”
- “Fewer than 20% of voters supported the amendment.”
- “Fewer than 30% of students passed the exam.”
- Use less if the noun is uncountable.
- “Less than 40% of the water remained.”
- “Less than 10% of the sugar dissolved.”
- “Less than 40% of the water remained.”
The confusion arises because we often focus on the number (e.g., “30%”) rather than the subject that percentage is describing. But grammatically, the rule hinges on the countability of the subject, not the numerical expression itself.
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between “less” and “fewer” enhances clarity and precision in communication. While “fewer” applies to countable nouns and “less” to uncountable ones, exceptions exist in areas like money, time, and percentages.
Mastering these distinctions helps you write and speak more accurately and confidently in any context.
Belekar Sir is the founder and lead instructor at Belekar Sir’s Academy, a trusted name in English language education. With over a decade of teaching experience, he has helped thousands of students—from beginners to advanced learners—develop fluency, confidence, and real-world communication skills. Known for his practical teaching style and deep understanding of learner needs, Belekar Sir is passionate about making English accessible and empowering for everyone. When he’s not teaching, he’s creating resources and guides to support learners on their journey to mastering spoken English.
