Surprisingly few people know when to use the word "fewer" :o

Even native english speakers seem to be struggling with this simple word. So I made this quick guide.


In english, different quantity words are used depending on whether the quantity to measure is discreet or secable, ie "countable'.


If we want to measure something that is a quantity but not a number, the interrogative is "How much" and the comparatives are "More" and "Less". For example: more honey, less water.


If we are looking at separate objects and expect a number as an answer, the interrogative term is "How many" and the comparatives are "More" and "Fewer". Examples: more chairs, fewer tables.


"Less" means "a smaller quantity of". "Fewer" means "a smaller number of". The confusion arises from the fact that the antonym of both is "More".


Complete the following text with the appropriate word.


I own a restaurant. Yesterday I made more money than today because there were MORE customers in my restaurant. But tomorrow I expect to make LESS money because I expect _____ customers.


Hint : If your answer was "less", you might be a slow learner.