even fewer

USAGE SUMMARY

"even fewer" is correct and it can be used in written English.
It is often used to emphasize a smaller number than what was previously stated. For example, "In this small village, there are even fewer restaurants than shops."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Even fewer played competitively.

The New York Times

Even fewer watched it.

The New York Times

Even fewer would recognise him.

The Guardian

Liberia had even fewer.

The Guardian - Opinion

Shorepower has even fewer.

The New York Times

Even fewer thought they were well integrated.

The Economist

Navigenics and deCODE have even fewer customers.

The New York Times

Even fewer can boast two huge accomplishments.

The Economist

MSNBC had even fewer, 1.365 million.

The New York Times

Minor-league arenas attract even fewer spectators.

The New Yorker

Few made money, even fewer were published.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "even fewer" to emphasize a further reduction in quantity compared to a previous statement. This highlights the scarcity or limited number of the subject being discussed. For example, "Few applied, and "even fewer" were accepted".

Common error

Remember that "fewer" is used for countable nouns, while "less" is for uncountable nouns. Avoid saying "even less people"; instead, use "even fewer people".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "even fewer" functions as a comparative quantifier, indicating a quantity that is smaller than one previously mentioned. It's used to emphasize a reduction or scarcity, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "even fewer" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to emphasize a smaller quantity than what was previously stated. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread usage across diverse contexts. It is especially common in news and media, science, and formal business writing. When writing, remember to use "even fewer" with countable nouns and consider the context to ensure the tone aligns with your message. Alternatives like "still fewer" or "a smaller number" can be used, depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

still fewer

Replaces "even" with "still", maintaining the emphasis on a reduced quantity.

even less

Uses "less" to refer to an uncountable noun, whereas "fewer" refers to countable nouns. Although similar, the grammatical structure is different.

a smaller number

Rephrases the idea using more explicit terms, focusing on the reduced count.

a reduced quantity

Similar to "a smaller number", but emphasizes the concept of a quantity being lessened.

even a smaller amount

Replaces "fewer" with "a smaller amount", emphasizing the reduced quantity.

markedly fewer

Adds emphasis to the reduction, highlighting a significant decrease.

considerably fewer

Similar to "markedly fewer", stressing a notable reduction in number.

significantly fewer

Another way to highlight a substantial decrease in quantity.

substantially fewer

Expresses a large difference in quantity compared to what was previously mentioned.

appreciably fewer

Indicates that the reduction is noticeable or measurable.

FAQs

When should I use "even fewer" in a sentence?

Use "even fewer" when you want to emphasize that a quantity is smaller than a previously mentioned quantity. It suggests a further reduction or scarcity. For instance, "Many tried, but "even fewer" succeeded".

What's the difference between "even fewer" and "even less"?

"Even fewer" is used with countable nouns (e.g., people, items), while "even less" is used with uncountable nouns (e.g., water, money). For example, "even fewer opportunities" vs. "even less time".

Are there any formal alternatives to "even fewer"?

In formal contexts, you could use phrases like "a smaller number", "a reduced quantity", or "markedly fewer". These options provide a similar meaning with a slightly more professional tone. For instance, "The participation rate declined, with a smaller number of attendees this year".

How can I rephrase a sentence with "even fewer" to sound more impactful?

To create a more impactful sentence, consider using stronger synonyms or adding descriptive words. For example, instead of "even fewer people attended", try "significantly fewer people attended" or "a surprisingly small number of people attended".