Grammar sticklers love this one: “10 items or less” at the grocery checkout is one of the most famous grammar violations in everyday life — and once you know the rule, you’ll notice it everywhere.
The Core Distinction
Fewer is used with countable nouns — things you can tally one by one. Less is used with uncountable nouns — things measured in bulk, degree, or amount.
“Fewer” in Context
- We had fewer guests than last year’s party.
- She made fewer errors on the second attempt.
- There are fewer parking spots downtown now.
- Fewer complaints came in after the update.
“Less” in Context
- I have less patience for excuses these days.
- Use less sugar than the recipe calls for.
- She spends less time commuting now.
- There’s less traffic on the back roads.
A Quick Way to Tell Them Apart
Ask if you could count the items one by one: “fewer guests” works because you can count 1, 2, 3 guests. “Less traffic” works because traffic isn’t counted as individual units without a specific measurement. Countable, use “fewer.” Bulk or degree, use “less.”
Why the Checkout Sign Bothers People
Grocery store express lanes famously read “10 items or less,” which grammar purists insist should read “10 items or fewer” since items are countable. It’s become the textbook example of this rule precisely because it’s so visible — millions of people walk past it daily without noticing the technical error.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is “fewer than 10 items” the correct phrase?
A: Traditionally, yes — since items are countable, “fewer” is the technically correct choice, though “less” is widely accepted in casual speech.
Why is “less money” correct instead of “fewer money”?
A: Money as a total sum is treated as an uncountable quantity, so “less money” is correct.
What about “less than five minutes”?
A: That’s actually standard — time is commonly treated as a single measured quantity rather than countable units, making “less” the accepted choice.
