Less vs Fewer| Ask Linda! | English Grammar
Channel: ITTT International TEFL & TESOL Training
Date: 2017-01-03

Here we look at the difference between “less” and “fewer”.  “Less” is used to refer to uncountable things while “fewer” is used to refer to countable things.  If you are purchasing several items then these are countable things so the checkout should be called the “10 items or fewer” line. Other examples of the difference between the two words are “I have been to fewer countries than you” (countable), “I have less money than you” (uncountable).


Have you ever been to the supermarket and checked out at the “10 Items or Less” register? Probably but grammatically speaking the word less is used incorrectly here. 

You see, less is used to refer to uncountable things, while fewer describes countable things. 

Since you are buying several items, they are countable, so you should actually be standing in line at the “10 Items or Fewer” checkout aisle. 

Other examples of the correct usage include:

I have fewer coins than you. 

You have been to fewer countries than I have.

There’s less water in my cup. 

I have less money in my wallet than he does.

Things that are uncountable include for example: music, art, love, happiness, advice, information, news
furniture, luggage, rice, sugar, butter, water, electricity, gas, power, money, currency and so on. 

Now next time you are at the supermarket, tell the store manager to change his signs and see what he says.


That’s it for today! See you next time!
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