Fewer / Less: Decreasing the Amount of Something

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Fewer / Less

Decreasing the amount of something

Fewer people are using the word fewer.

Fewer Before Count Nouns

FEWER	LESS
Fewer is used before count noun to indicate a decreased number of items.	Less is used before noncount nouns to indicate a decreased number of items.
COUNT NOUN Do you want fewer lines and wrinkles on your face?	NONCOUNT NOUN Do you want less wrinkling?
Eat fewer sweets.	Eat less candy.
Drink fewer sodas/soft drinks.	Drink less beer.
Smoke fewer cigarettes.	Inhale less tar and nicotine.

Also see noncount nouns

vegetables

Common Mistake

ERROR	FIX
Eat more fruits and vegetables, get less wrinkles. Pop-Q – "Fruits"	Eat more fruit and vegetables, get fewer wrinkles. "Wrinkles" is a countable noun. "Fruit" is not generally used in the plural form.

Related page: Count vs noncount nouns fruit vs fruits

Also see: Much / More

Practice 1

4.8 Million Americans Overweight

The country’s weight problem is worse than ever.

Select the word that best completes the sentence.
Double click on the radio button to check your answer. (Internet Explorer users may have to click the feedback box to force the answer to show.)
Check your answer: an asterisk * indicates an incorrect answer.

#	FEEDBACK	RESPONSE
1.	The National Health Institute says that Americans need to eat food.	fewer less
2.	Americans are overweight and people are able to fit into standard airline seats.	fewer less
3.	Americans need to consume calories.	fewer less
4.	Americans need to eat junk food.	fewer less
5.	Studies also show that Americans are getting exercise.	fewer less
6.	They are spending minutes each day doing simple activities such as walking.	fewer less
7.	This study means that than forty-percent of the population is carrying a healthy weight.	fewer less
8.	The NHI is urging people to eat fat and more fruit and fiber.	fewer less
9.	That means super-sized drinks and fattening burgers.	fewer less
10.	Americans have work to do to improve their overall health .	many more much more