“Fewer” and “less” both describe smaller amounts, but the traditional grammar rule that separates them is one of the most commonly broken (and commonly enforced) rules in English.
The Short Answer
Fewer is used with countable nouns — things you can count individually, like items or people. Less is used with uncountable nouns — things measured in bulk or degree, like time, money as a total amount, or water.
Examples of “Fewer”
- Fewer people showed up than expected.
- She made fewer mistakes this time.
- There are fewer apples in the basket.
- We received fewer complaints this month.
Examples of “Less”
- I have less time than I thought.
- Please use less salt in the recipe.
- She spends less money on clothes now.
- There’s less water in the tank than before.
The “Can You Count It?” Test
Ask whether you could count the items one by one: “fewer apples” works because you can count 1, 2, 3 apples. “Less water” works because you can’t count individual units of water without a container or measurement. If you can count it, use “fewer”; if you’d measure it instead, use “less.”
Why “10 Items or Less” Bothers Grammar Purists
Supermarket express lane signs famously say “10 items or less,” which technically should be “10 items or fewer” since items are countable. This exact sign has become a well-known example in grammar discussions precisely because it’s such a visible, everyday violation of the rule — though in casual speech, many people don’t notice or mind the substitution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I say “fewer than 10 items” or “less than 10 items”?
A: Traditionally, “fewer than 10 items” is correct since items are countable, though “less than” is widely used in casual speech.
Is “less money” or “fewer money” correct?
A: “Less money” is correct, since money as a total sum is treated as an uncountable quantity, not individual countable units.
What about time, like “less than five minutes”?
A: “Less than five minutes” is actually correct here — time is often treated as a single measured quantity rather than countable units, which is an accepted exception.
