Fewer Meaning: Definition and Examples
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fewer
[ˈfjuːər ]
Definition
comparative quantity
Fewer is used to indicate a smaller number of countable nouns. It serves as a comparative form of the adjective 'few.' When you use 'fewer,' you refer specifically to things that can be counted individually. The term is often used in contrast to 'more' when making comparisons. It helps to express a decrease in quantity and is commonly utilized in both spoken and written English.
Synonyms
lesser, minor, reduced, smaller.
Examples of usage
- There are fewer apples in the basket than yesterday.
- She has fewer friends than she used to.
- Fewer cars are on the road during the pandemic.
- Fewer people attended the event this year.
Interesting Facts
Grammar
- 'Fewer' is used with countable nouns, while 'less' is used with uncountable nouns, making it important for proper English usage.
- This distinction helps clarify whether you're talking about items you can count (like apples) or a mass (like water).
- Common mistakes occur with phrases like 'less people' when 'fewer' should be used to describe a countable group.
Culture
- In many societies, the concept of having fewer resources often leads to various challenges, highlighting the importance of sustainability.
- Cultural sayings like 'fewer but better' reflect an ideal of quality over quantity in personal choices and lifestyle.
- In minimalist movements, embracing 'fewer things' can help people find freedom from clutter and focus on what truly matters.
Mathematics
- In mathematic comparisons, fewer can be understood through basic subtraction—it's all about finding the difference in quantities.
- Understanding 'fewer' can help in data visualization, as sparse datasets show fewer variables compared to larger sets.
- The concept of fewer is key in statistics, influencing how we interpret data sets where one sample might exhibit fewer outliers.
Psychology
- Research shows that having fewer possessions can reduce stress and improve mental well-being, as it simplifies life.
- The law of scarcity indicates that when people perceive fewer options, they often value those options more highly.
- Cognitive overload is often linked to having too many choices; thus, embracing fewer choices can lead to clearer decision-making.
Origin of 'fewer'
Main points about word origin
- The word 'fewer' comes from the Old English word 'fēower', meaning four.
- It evolved from the Proto-Germanic term 'faiwaz', showing that the concept of counting and quantity is ancient.
- Originally used more broadly, it narrowed down over time to specifically describe countable things in smaller amounts.
The word 'fewer' originates from the Old English word 'fewer,' which is a comparative form of 'few.' The term reflects the Germanic lineage of the English language, with parallels in other Germanic languages such as Dutch and German. Historically, 'few' and its comparative 'fewer' have been used to express small quantities since the time of Middle English. The distinction between 'fewer' and 'less' has evolved over time, with 'fewer' becoming the preferred term when referring to discrete, countable items, while 'less' pertains to unquantifiable or mass nouns. As English transitioned through various stages, the grammatical rules surrounding the usage of 'fewer' became more standardized, emphasizing its role in comparative constructions.