fewer of us

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fewer of us" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when referring to a smaller number of people in a specific context or situation. Example: "After the recent changes, there are now fewer of us working on the project than before."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Fewer and fewer of us make things that anchor our sense of money-value in object-value.

The Economist

Fewer and fewer of us are engaged in traditional 9-5 jobs at the office or factory – for reasons both good and bad – and that means increasing amounts of uncertainty.

Independent

Still fewer of us stand for office.

The Guardian

Even fewer of us are going to Broadway.

The New York Times

The fewer of us in private vehicles, the less gridlock.

The Guardian - Opinion

If we had better money skills, fewer of us would be unemployed and living on benefits.

Independent

"There are fewer of us than there are astronauts," she said.

The New York Times

But as the years march on, there are fewer and fewer of us.

The New York Times

"Certainly, fewer of us remember people of that era, like Mamie Eisenhower," he said.

The New York Times

Ever fewer of us countenance that faith today, but it retains power even in decline.

The New Yorker

There'd be fewer of us and, as a result, enough resources to go round.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fewer of us" when referring to a countable number of people. For uncountable nouns, use "less of us" instead. Ensure clarity in your writing by choosing the appropriate quantifier.

Common error

Avoid using "less of us" when "fewer of us" is grammatically correct. "Fewer" is used for countable items, while "less" is for uncountable quantities. Using the wrong quantifier can make your writing seem imprecise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fewer of us" functions as a quantifier followed by a pronoun, indicating a smaller number of people within a group. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It is used to express a reduction in the number of individuals involved in a particular situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fewer of us" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate a smaller number of people within a group. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is generally considered grammatically correct and is suitable for a variety of contexts. It is most commonly found in news and media sources. When using this phrase, it's important to remember that "fewer" should be used for countable nouns, while "less" is reserved for uncountable quantities. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your writing is both clear and accurate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a smaller number of us

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

less of us

Uses "less" instead of "fewer", generally acceptable in informal contexts although "fewer" is grammatically more correct.

a diminished number of us

Substitutes "fewer" with "a diminished number", indicating a reduction or decrease.

a reduced amount of us

Replaces the phrase to describe a reduction.

a declining number of us

Emphasizes the decreasing trend in numbers.

not as many of us

Expresses the concept of reduced quantity in a more explicit way.

a lower proportion of us

Focuses on the reduced percentage or ratio.

a minority of us

Highlights that the group is now smaller than the majority.

only some of us

Indicates that only a portion of the group is involved.

a handful of us

Implies a very small number of people.

FAQs

When should I use "fewer of us" versus "less of us"?

"Fewer" is used for countable nouns (people, items), while "less" is used for uncountable nouns (water, time). Therefore, "fewer of us" is correct when referring to a number of people. Using "less of us" would be grammatically incorrect in this context.

What does "fewer of us" mean?

The phrase "fewer of us" means a smaller number of people within a specific group or context. It indicates a reduction in the quantity of individuals involved.

Are there any synonyms for "fewer of us"?

Yes, you can use synonyms such as "a smaller number of us", "not as many of us", or "a reduced number of us" depending on the context.

How can I use "fewer of us" in a sentence?

You can use "fewer of us" in sentences like: "Due to the company's restructuring, there are now "fewer of us" working in the department", or "If we take public transport, then "fewer of us" will be using private vehicles and gridlock will be reduced".