Confusable

Fewer or less

Fewer

For things you can count one by one.

Fewer than ten people attended.

Less

For amounts you measure, not count.

There's less water in the glass.

Remember: Count them one by one? FEWER. An amount? LESS. Distances, money and time take 'less': 'less than 5 km'. Many people use 'less' for both in speech.

Quick check

____ than ten people attended.

Short lessonCommonly confused wordsSome words look or sound alike but do different jobs. A small trick keeps them apart.

More like this

Disinterested or uninterestedImpartial; having nothing to gain either way.ConfusableAges 15–20 Further or fartherTo a greater degree or extent; also physical distance.Confusable Mitigate or militateTo make something less severe or harmful.ConfusableAges 15–20