Common Mistakes with ‘Less’ and ‘Fewer’

Are you unsure whether to use ‘less’ or ‘fewer’ in a sentence? This common mistake can cause confusion for many people. Let’s take a closer look at the difference between these two words and how to use them correctly.

Understanding the Difference

The key difference between ‘less’ and ‘fewer’ lies in countable versus uncountable nouns. ‘Fewer’ is used when referring to items that can be counted, while ‘less’ is used with uncountable nouns.

Examples:

– I have fewer apples than you. (apples can be counted)
– I have less water than you. (water is uncountable)

Common Mistakes

One common mistake is using ‘less’ when ‘fewer’ should be used. For example, saying “I have less friends” is incorrect because ‘friends’ is a countable noun. The correct usage should be “I have fewer friends.”

Another mistake is using ‘fewer’ with uncountable nouns. For example, saying “I have fewer water” is incorrect. The correct usage would be “I have less water.”

It’s important to pay attention to whether the noun you are referring to can be counted or not to determine whether to use ‘less’ or ‘fewer’.

Exceptions

There are a few exceptions to the rule. When referring to measurements, time, or money, ‘less’ is used regardless of countability.

Examples:

– She weighs less than 120 pounds.
– I have less than two hours to finish this project.
– He has less money than his brother.

Practice Makes Perfect

To avoid common mistakes with ‘less’ and ‘fewer’, it’s important to practice using them correctly in sentences. By paying attention to the countability of nouns and applying the rules we’ve discussed, you can improve your grammar skills.

For more tips on improving your writing, check out Edit Mojo for helpful resources and articles!

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