Words / A2

LES/les/

Less means a smaller amount of something uncountable: less time, less sugar, less traffic. Fewer is for countable things: fewer cars, fewer mistakes. A little less and much less are common. Less than compares amounts. Learners overuse less with plurals — if you can count it, try fewer in careful English.

Meaning

A smaller amount of; not as much.

Examples

• “I have less time this week.”
• “Please make less noise after ten.”
• “This route takes less time than the motorway.”

Good to know

less + uncountable. fewer + plural countable. less than + amount.

New