As might be expected in any language, words with similar meanings can often get confused. Such is the case with the words fewer and less. Note the example in the image at left.
The example sentence in the graphic is not correct, because less is used only with items that cannot be counted. Grain boundaries can be counted, and so the proper word to use is fewer. Note that the use of the word fewer is used in the example sentence correctly, since barriers are items that can be counted.
Thus, the corrected sentence would appear as follows:
The example sentence in the graphic is not correct, because less is used only with items that cannot be counted. Grain boundaries can be counted, and so the proper word to use is fewer. Note that the use of the word fewer is used in the example sentence correctly, since barriers are items that can be counted.
Thus, the corrected sentence would appear as follows:
As can be observed in Figure 5, fewer grain boundaries provide fewer barriers to crack propagation, resulting in a lower-than expected fracture toughness value.
The rule is very simple. Fewer is used with items that can be counted. Less is used with items that cannot be counted. For example,
The operation results in less sulfuric acid production.
The use of less here is correct. Production cannot be counted. Note that production can be measured and that being measured is not the same as being counted. Units of measure can be counted, but the item being measured may or may not be countable. Thus, changing the reference from production to something measurable (such as a unit of measure) makes the use of less incorrect.
The operation results in fewer tons per day of sulfuric acid.
Fewer is used with countable items. Less is used with non-countable items. Just remember that the fewer things can be counted, the less things cannot be. Then you’re not likely to go astray.
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