fewer miles

USAGE SUMMARY

"fewer miles" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to a countable quantity of miles, typically in comparisons. For example: "I drove fewer miles this week than last week." Alternative expressions include "less distance" and "a smaller number of miles."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Over-65s also drive 45% fewer miles than the average, which means their cars last longer.

The Economist

But as an economic indicator, less gasoline pumped means fewer miles driven and less economic activity.

The New York Times

"Everything else being equal, the fewer miles we drive, the fewer deer we hit".

The New York Times

The company provides more support to riders but they cover fewer miles.

The New York Times - Travel

These mid-sized cars typically got fewer miles per gallon than light trucks do today.

The New York Times

They average 6.8 fewer miles to the gallon than do cars.

The New York Times

"In such voyages, the advantage of fewer miles can outweigh delays waiting for clear water".

The New York Times - Science

DRIVING less — fewer miles or smaller vehicles — is the rational response to higher fuel prices.

The New York Times

Americans are driving fewer miles daily, according to data from the National Household Travel Survey.

The Washington Post

The average new car gets fewer miles to the gallon than Henry Ford's Model T got.

The New Yorker

Americans drive fewer miles per year — down about 9percentt over the past two decades.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing environmental impact, use "fewer miles" to quantify reductions in driving and associated emissions.

Common error

Remember that "miles" is a countable noun, so use "fewer" instead of "less". It is correct to say "fewer miles", not "less miles".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fewer miles" functions as a quantitative adjective phrase modifying an implied verb of motion, such as "drive" or "travel". It specifies a reduced amount of distance covered, which, according to Ludwig, is grammatically correct and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fewer miles" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a reduced quantity of miles traveled. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is particularly common in News & Media, Science and Business contexts, and serves the purpose of quantifying reductions in distance for various reasons such as environmental impact or cost savings. It's crucial to remember to use "fewer" instead of "less" with countable nouns like "miles".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

less distance traveled

Highlights the action of traveling a shorter distance.

lower mileage

Uses "lower" as an adjective to describe the mileage.

reduced mileage

Uses a noun form of "mileage" to convey the idea of less distance covered.

decreased distance

Emphasizes the reduction in distance using an adjective.

shorter distance

Focuses on the length of travel rather than the number of miles.

smaller distance

Similar to "shorter distance", but uses "smaller" instead.

diminished travel distance

Emphasizes the reduction using a stronger verb, "diminished".

less travel

Replaces "miles" with the general term "travel", indicating a decrease in overall journeying.

shorter trips

Focuses on the length of individual journeys rather than cumulative miles.

less ground covered

Emphasizes the area traversed, providing a broader perspective than just miles.

FAQs

How do you use "fewer miles" in a sentence?

"Fewer miles" is used to indicate a smaller quantity of miles traveled or a shorter distance. For example: "I drive "fewer miles" now that I work from home".

What's the difference between "fewer miles" and "less distance"?

"Fewer miles" refers specifically to the number of miles, while "less distance" is a more general term for the amount of space between two points. Although they are often interchangeable, using "fewer" highlights the countable nature of miles.

Is it better to drive "fewer miles" or a "shorter distance"?

Both phrases are valid, but "fewer miles" is more precise when referring to a specific quantifiable measurement. A "shorter distance" might imply a different route, whereas "fewer miles" focuses on the total count.

What are the benefits of driving "fewer miles"?

Driving "fewer miles" can lead to cost savings on fuel and vehicle maintenance, reduced environmental impact, and potentially lower insurance premiums.