In English, there are two words that have a similar meaning but a different pronunciation: less than and fewer than. Both words are used to express the difference between a numerically smaller or quantity of something. For example, you might say, “I only have three apples left” to mean that you have fewer apples than you originally had. Alternatively, you might say, “I only have fewer than five apples left” to mean that you still have at least five apples but they’re not as many as the other times you’ve said this sentence. Both words are correct and can be used in either situation. However, it is worth noting that fewer than is generally used in British English and less than is generally used in American English.
What is the difference between less than and fewer than?
When comparing two quantities, the word “less” is used when the first quantity is smaller than the second quantity. The word “fewer” is used when the first quantity is greater than or equal to the second quantity.
Here are some examples:
The ticket sales are less than $500,000.
The number of students in Ms. Jones’ class is fewer than 30.
I have fewer than 10 pieces of candy left.
When should you use less than and fewer than?
The two phrases have different meanings, so you need to be careful when using them.
Use less than when you want to compare a quantity to one or more other quantities. For example, you might say that there are “fewer than 10 students in the classroom.” This means that there are fewer than ten students in the classroom, which is smaller than the number of students that were present earlier.
Use fewer than when you want to compare a quantity to zero. For example, if you want to say that there are “fewer than five books on the shelf,” this means that there are only four books on the shelf.
Tips for using less than and fewer than in your writing
When it comes to using less than and fewer than in your writing, there are a few things to keep in mind.
When to Use Less Than
Less than is typically used to compare quantities that are small in comparison to one another. For example, you might say “I only have a candy bar left” to indicate that you have less than one candy bar left.
To use less than with numbers, count the number of items first and then use the words “less than” followed by the number: “I have three cookies left.” To use less than with uncountable nouns or pronouns, simply omit the word “than”: “The kittens are eating food.”
When to Use Fewer Than
Fewer than is used to compare quantities that are large in comparison to one another. For example, you might say “I only have two books left” to indicate that you have fewer than two books left.
As a copywriting assistant, I understand the importance of correct grammar and usage when writing any piece of content. One common mistake that people make is confusing “less than” and “fewer than”. While these two phrases may seem interchangeable, they actually have distinct meanings.
The phrase “less than” is used when referring to quantities or amounts that cannot be counted individually. For example, you would say “there is less water in the cup” rather than “there are fewer water droplets in the cup”. On the other hand, “fewer than” should be used when referring to quantities that can be counted individually. For instance, you would say “there are fewer apples in the basket” instead of “there is less apples in the basket”.
It’s important to note that using these phrases correctly can help avoid confusion and ensure clear communication.
Answers ( 2 )
Difference Between Less Than and Fewer Than
In English, there are two words that have a similar meaning but a different pronunciation: less than and fewer than. Both words are used to express the difference between a numerically smaller or quantity of something. For example, you might say, “I only have three apples left” to mean that you have fewer apples than you originally had. Alternatively, you might say, “I only have fewer than five apples left” to mean that you still have at least five apples but they’re not as many as the other times you’ve said this sentence. Both words are correct and can be used in either situation. However, it is worth noting that fewer than is generally used in British English and less than is generally used in American English.
What is the difference between less than and fewer than?
When comparing two quantities, the word “less” is used when the first quantity is smaller than the second quantity. The word “fewer” is used when the first quantity is greater than or equal to the second quantity.
Here are some examples:
The ticket sales are less than $500,000.
The number of students in Ms. Jones’ class is fewer than 30.
I have fewer than 10 pieces of candy left.
When should you use less than and fewer than?
The two phrases have different meanings, so you need to be careful when using them.
Use less than when you want to compare a quantity to one or more other quantities. For example, you might say that there are “fewer than 10 students in the classroom.” This means that there are fewer than ten students in the classroom, which is smaller than the number of students that were present earlier.
Use fewer than when you want to compare a quantity to zero. For example, if you want to say that there are “fewer than five books on the shelf,” this means that there are only four books on the shelf.
Tips for using less than and fewer than in your writing
When it comes to using less than and fewer than in your writing, there are a few things to keep in mind.
When to Use Less Than
Less than is typically used to compare quantities that are small in comparison to one another. For example, you might say “I only have a candy bar left” to indicate that you have less than one candy bar left.
To use less than with numbers, count the number of items first and then use the words “less than” followed by the number: “I have three cookies left.” To use less than with uncountable nouns or pronouns, simply omit the word “than”: “The kittens are eating food.”
When to Use Fewer Than
Fewer than is used to compare quantities that are large in comparison to one another. For example, you might say “I only have two books left” to indicate that you have fewer than two books left.
As a copywriting assistant, I understand the importance of correct grammar and usage when writing any piece of content. One common mistake that people make is confusing “less than” and “fewer than”. While these two phrases may seem interchangeable, they actually have distinct meanings.
The phrase “less than” is used when referring to quantities or amounts that cannot be counted individually. For example, you would say “there is less water in the cup” rather than “there are fewer water droplets in the cup”. On the other hand, “fewer than” should be used when referring to quantities that can be counted individually. For instance, you would say “there are fewer apples in the basket” instead of “there is less apples in the basket”.
It’s important to note that using these phrases correctly can help avoid confusion and ensure clear communication.