Loading please wait

The smart way to improve grades

Comprehensive & curriculum aligned

Try an activity or get started for free

Use 'Less' and 'Fewer' Correctly

In this worksheet, students will practise using 'less' and 'fewer' in the correct context.

'Use 'Less' and 'Fewer' Correctly' worksheet

Key stage:  KS 3

Year:  Year 8 English worksheets

Curriculum topic:   Writing

Curriculum subtopic:   Use Accurate Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling

Popular topics:   Writing worksheets

Difficulty level:  

Worksheet Overview

People often use the words less and fewer interchangeably, but they have slightly different meanings. Using the correct vocabulary makes your writing more sophisticated.

 

Many adults don't know which word to use, so you won't be alone if you find it confusing! Sadly, the wrong word is often used in public places where many people can see it, and this just reinforces the error and makes people even more confused as to which one is correct!

 

One classic example that is often seen in supermarkets is the sign 'Ten items or less'. This is wrong - the word 'items' is a countable noun, so it should be 'Ten items or fewer'!

 

man pushing supermarket trolley

 

Do you know which of the following sentences are correct?

There were fewer people there than I expected.

There were less people there than I expected.

 

The first sentence is the correct one. People is a plural noun so we need to use the word 'fewer'. Another way of looking at it is to decide whether the noun can be counted or not. People can be counted, so the correct word is 'fewer'.

 

group of people

 

If something can't be counted or has no plural, then we use the word 'less'.

You should eat less salt. (We talk about salt as one thing rather than counting each individual grain.)

My sister has less free time now she is studying. ('Free time' has no plural.)

 

girl reading a book

 

Over the course of this activity, we will practise choosing whether to use 'fewer' or 'less', in different sentences.

 

Are you ready to begin?

What is EdPlace?

We're your National Curriculum aligned online education content provider helping each child succeed in English, maths and science from year 1 to GCSE. With an EdPlace account you’ll be able to track and measure progress, helping each child achieve their best. We build confidence and attainment by personalising each child’s learning at a level that suits them.

Get started
laptop

Popular English topics

Try an activity or get started for free

  • National Tutoring Awards 2023 Shortlisted / Parents
    National Tutoring Awards 2023 Shortlisted
  • Private-Tutoring-WINNER-EducationInvestor-Awards / Parents
    Winner - Private Tutoring
  • Bett Awards Finalist / Parents
    Finalist
  • Winner - Best for Home Learning / Parents
    Winner - Best for Home Learning / Parents