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When should I use less or fewer?
Fewer means “not as many.” We use fewer with countable nouns like cookies. Cookie Monster was told to eat fewer cookies. Less means “not as much.” We use less with uncountable nouns like milk.
Is it fewer hours or less hours?
“Fewer hours”. “Hours” is countable, so you must use “fewer”. “Less” is used only for the uncountable.
Is it 5 or less or 5 or fewer?
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.
Is it less rain or fewer rain?
Rain is considered a singular noun. If you wanted to use fewer, you would have to use a plural noun.
Is it one less or one fewer?
It’s about plurals versus singulars. If you want to follow the strictest guidelines on “less” and “fewer” (which, by the way, I do), here’s the correct way to understand them: “Less” is for singular things. “Fewer” is for plural things. About 99% of the time, this language makes no difference.
How do you remember less or fewer?
“Less”- Simple Tips to Remember. If the noun being measured is countable, like bowls of rice or chocolate bars, use fewer. If the noun cannot be counted, like rice or chocolate, use less.
Why do people use less instead of fewer?
What is an example of less?
An example of less used as an adjective is in the sentence, “She has less money than he does,” which means that she does not have as much money as he does. Less is defined as minus. An example of less used as a preposition is in the sentence, “Ten less seven is three,” which means ten minus seven is three.
What are the example of less?
What is the difference between the words less and fewer?
Notice that fewer and less are adjectives. Necessarily, they modify nouns. Right off the bat, we can identify a key difference between the two words: The word less modifies singular nouns, while fewer modifies plural nouns. His doctor advised him to use less salt.
How do you use fewer and less correctly?
Let’s straighten out the problems. Write with fewer less es. Many writers confuse fewer and less, usually using less when they mean fewer. Let’s review the differences between these words so that you can use each with precision. Notice that fewer and less are adjectives. Necessarily, they modify nouns.
Are “less” and “fewer” interchangeable?
The difficulty comes from the fact that, in essence, they mean the same thing; they refer to a smaller quantity and are opposites of “more.” But despite that, they’re not interchangeable. Here’s the difference between “less” and “fewer.” “Fewer” describes items that are countable, while “less” describes something that is not.
Do you use fewer or more when referring to time?
Yet, depending on how general or specific your reference to time is, it may require the use of fewer. I wish I could spend fewer hours on household chores and more on watching television. Weights are also nouns that are measured in a countable way, yet are customarily used with less rather than fewer.