a fewer number

USAGE SUMMARY

'a fewer number' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you wish to express the idea that a quantity is lower than it was or lower than something else. For example, "In recent years, there has been a fewer number of students in the class."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

HIRSCHBERG: But a fewer number of hours can mean more pressure.

The New York Times - Magazine

"The peaches are large," she said, "because the trees could put all those nutrients into a fewer number".

The New York Times

It aims to use as a fewer number of tracking stations as possible but the degradation in the precision of the solution is still under a desired level.

Advances in Space Research

The approach is based on the construction of an invariant manifold such that the projected dynamics is governed by a fewer number of ordinary differential equations.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

The things we do for each other in that experience might involve a fewer number of friends, but there's more depth.

The Guardian - Tech

That's a lot of power, and it can be intimidating to writers already constrained by a fewer number of publishers and outlets of their work.

The Guardian - Money

"A fewer number of houses will be constructed, which entails a substantial increase in green recreational areas (parks) and green ecological areas," he added.

The Guardian

The developed tools are easier than currently available models and involves a fewer number of parameters, requiring less complicated and shorter computations.

Applied Energy

In today's vote, the opposition needs a fewer number of votes than in case of a possible constructive vote of no confidence.

The Economist

TC: A fewer number of firms, including yours, seems to be raising all the capital.

TechCrunch

Nonetheless, the study of systems with a fewer number of actuators has been in progress.

EURASIP Journal on Embedded Systems

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a fewer number", ensure that you are referring to countable items. For uncountable nouns, use "less" instead of "fewer".

Common error

Avoid using "a fewer number" when referring to uncountable nouns. The correct phrase for uncountable nouns is "a smaller amount" or "less". For example, say "less water", not "a fewer number of water".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fewer number" functions as a determiner phrase, specifically indicating a reduced quantity of countable items. Ludwig examples illustrate its usage in various contexts to quantify a decrease, such as "a fewer number of houses" or "a fewer number of votes". Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

41%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a fewer number" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to indicate a smaller quantity of countable items. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for various contexts, from scientific publications to news articles. Remember to use "fewer" with countable nouns and "less" with uncountable nouns to avoid common errors. Alternatives like "a smaller quantity" or "a reduced amount" can be used for variety, but "a fewer number" remains a clear and effective way to express reduction in count.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a smaller quantity

Emphasizes the reduced amount or volume.

a reduced amount

Highlights the act of decreasing the amount.

a lower quantity

Similar to "a smaller quantity" but may imply a measurable difference.

a diminished number

Suggests a reduction in number, often due to attrition or loss.

a decreased number

Implies a deliberate or observed reduction in count.

a lesser quantity

Formally indicates a reduced amount, often in comparison.

a decline in number

Focuses on the process of decreasing in count.

a scarcity of

Indicates a lack or insufficient amount of something.

a dearth of

Emphasizes a severe lack or shortage.

a paucity of

Suggests a small or inadequate quantity.

FAQs

How do I use "a fewer number" in a sentence?

Use "a fewer number" to indicate a smaller quantity of countable items. For example, "A fewer number of students attended the lecture this week".

What's the difference between "a fewer number" and "a smaller amount"?

"A fewer number" is used for countable items (e.g., students, books), while "a smaller amount" is used for uncountable items (e.g., water, money). It's correct to say, "A fewer number of books were sold", but "a smaller amount of water was consumed".

What can I say instead of "a fewer number"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "a smaller quantity", "a reduced amount", or "a decline in number".

Is "less number" grammatically correct instead of "a fewer number"?

No, "less number" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Use "a fewer number" for countable items. "Less" should be used with uncountable nouns. For example, say "less effort" not "fewer effort".