fewer interests

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fewer interests" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when referring to a smaller number of interests or activities, often in a comparative context. Example: "After moving to a new city, I found that I had fewer interests to pursue than before."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

You're talking about fewer interests having greater market power.

The New York Times

Once a software programming analyst, Mr. Curtis, 57, has "a lot fewer interests" than he did before the injury, and he estimates he has lost 90 percent of his friends.

The New York Times - Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Bankers and investors cheer, for wage restraint means fewer signs of inflation, and fewer interest rate increases by the Bank of England.

The Economist

Inflation in Britain was above the Bank of England's 2 percent target for a third month in December, adding to the case for fewer interest rate cuts this year.

The New York Times

Keep your conversations with your partner simple and short, revealing just a few interests and some key topics that are genuinely interesting.

WikiHow

Murray Few interests outside sport.

The Guardian - Sport

Outside fiance has few interests.

The New Yorker

He has few interests outside his religious work.

The New Yorker

Mr. Fatha had few friends outside the mosque and few interests outside of prayer.

The New York Times

It has made a few interests wealthy while yielding extremely poor value, and bad outcomes.

The New York Times

Mr. Spann's friends said he seemed to have few interests outside the Marines.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fewer interests", ensure the context clearly indicates a comparison or reduction in the number of interests over time or compared to others.

Common error

Remember that "fewer" is used for countable nouns (interests), while "less" is used for uncountable nouns. Avoid saying "less interests"; instead, use "fewer interests".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fewer interests" functions as a comparative description, indicating a reduced quantity of passions, hobbies, or areas of concern. It is used to express a relative decrease in the number of things someone is interested in, such as personal hobbies or professional pursuits. Ludwig confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fewer interests" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that describes a reduction in the number of activities, hobbies, or passions someone has. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is typically employed to indicate a comparison or a decrease over time. While grammatically correct, it's essential to use "fewer" appropriately with countable nouns like "interests", avoiding the common mistake of using "less". Contextually, "fewer interests" is frequently found in news and media, wiki articles, and formal business settings. Alternatives such as "reduced number of interests" or "narrowed range of interests" offer similar meanings. When using "fewer interests", ensure clarity and correct grammatical usage for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduced number of interests

Emphasizes the decreased quantity of interests.

narrowed range of interests

Highlights a more limited scope of interests.

smaller set of interests

Focuses on the diminished size of the interest group.

limited number of hobbies

Specifically refers to a decrease in hobbies.

less diverse interests

Indicates a lack of variety in interests.

a decline in passions

Focuses on a reduction of strong interests and enthusiasms.

a lack of varied pursuits

Highlights the absence of diverse activities and interests.

a more focused attention

Suggests concentrating on fewer things rather than having fewer interests altogether.

prioritizing selected activities

Emphasizes choosing specific activities over others.

downsizing extracurriculars

Refers to reducing the number of extracurricular activities.

FAQs

How can I use "fewer interests" in a sentence?

You can use "fewer interests" to describe a reduction in the number of activities or hobbies someone engages in, such as, "After retirement, he found he had "fewer interests" than when he was working."

What is a good alternative to saying "fewer interests"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "reduced number of interests", "narrowed range of interests", or "smaller set of interests" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to say "less interests" instead of "fewer interests"?

No, it is not grammatically correct. "Fewer" should be used with countable nouns like "interests", while "less" is for uncountable nouns. Therefore, the correct phrase is ""fewer interests"".

What does it mean when someone says they have "fewer interests"?

It typically means they have a smaller number of hobbies, passions, or activities that they enjoy or engage in, often compared to a previous time or another person.