Few vs. Fewer
What's the Difference?
Few and fewer are both comparative adjectives used to describe a small quantity or number of something. Few is used when referring to a small number of items or people, while fewer is used when comparing two quantities and indicating that one is smaller than the other. For example, "There are few apples left in the basket" implies that there are not many apples remaining, while "There are fewer apples in this basket than in the other one" indicates that the quantity of apples in one basket is smaller than the quantity in another. Both words convey a sense of scarcity or limitation, but fewer specifically highlights a comparison between two quantities.
Comparison
| Attribute | Few | Fewer |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Not many | A smaller number of |
| Usage | Used for countable nouns | Used for countable nouns |
| Comparison | Comparative form of "little" | Comparative form of "few" |
| Example | I have few friends. | I have fewer friends than you. |
Further Detail
Definition
Both "few" and "fewer" are quantifiers used to indicate a small number or amount of something. However, they are used in slightly different contexts. "Few" is used with countable nouns to indicate a small number of items, while "fewer" is used to compare quantities and indicate a smaller number in comparison to another quantity.
Usage
When using "few," you are simply stating that there is a small number of something. For example, "There are few apples left in the basket." On the other hand, "fewer" is used when comparing two quantities. For example, "There are fewer apples in this basket than in the other one."
Comparative Form
The main difference between "few" and "fewer" lies in their comparative forms. "Few" does not have a comparative form, while "fewer" is the comparative form of "few." This means that "fewer" is used when comparing two quantities, indicating that one quantity is smaller than the other.
Examples
Here are some examples to illustrate the difference between "few" and "fewer":
- There are few people at the party. (indicating a small number)
- There are fewer people at this party than at the last one. (comparing two quantities)
Exceptions
It is important to note that there are some exceptions to the use of "few" and "fewer." For example, when referring to quantities that cannot be counted, such as water or sand, "less" and "less" are used instead of "few" and "fewer." Additionally, in some cases, "fewer" can be used interchangeably with "less" when referring to quantities that are not countable.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while both "few" and "fewer" are used to indicate a small number or amount of something, they are used in slightly different contexts. "Few" is used to indicate a small number, while "fewer" is used to compare quantities and indicate a smaller number in comparison to another quantity. Understanding the difference between these two words can help you use them correctly in your writing and communication.
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