fewer road

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fewer road" is not correct in written English.
The correct form should be "fewer roads" when referring to a countable noun in the plural form. Example: "There are fewer roads in the rural area compared to the city."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Fewer such encounters will also, other things being equal, lead to fewer road accidents between vehicles and pedestrians.

City, Territory and Architecture

The journey has more mazes, fewer road signs.

The New York Times - Health

Only the Chicago Blackhawks and the Anaheim Ducks have fewer road defeats in regulation.

The New York Times - Sports

Campaigners argue that extra light in the winter evenings could mean fewer road accidents.

Independent

"There are fewer road accidents, lower rates of divorce, and fewer people going to psychiatric clinics.

The Guardian

"That would have less impact on McDonald's, because they are everywhere," he said, but many family-oriented restaurant chains could lose business if families took fewer road trips.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Large blocks mean fewer roads to disperse traffic.

The Economist

It's like being part of a road racing team – but with fewer roads.

The Guardian - Travel

In the south, fewer roads were built up, but also fewer surveys were carried out.

Geoenvironmental Disasters

Consistent with the monocentric city model, fewer roads and restrictions on housing supply hinder urban growth.

Handbook of Economic Growth

There are very few motorised vehicles on Ubin, and even fewer roads.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the plural form "roads" with "fewer" to ensure grammatical correctness. For example, use "fewer roads" instead of "fewer road".

Common error

Avoid using the singular form "road" with "fewer". "Fewer" is used for countable nouns in the plural, so always use "fewer roads".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fewer road" is intended to function as an adjective modifying a noun, indicating a smaller quantity. However, this construction is grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI points out, the correct form uses the plural noun.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

38%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fewer road" is grammatically incorrect and should be "fewer roads". Ludwig AI confirms that "fewer" must be used with countable nouns in the plural. Despite its grammatical inaccuracy, the examples show frequent usage across diverse sources like News & Media and Science. To avoid errors, always remember to use "fewer roads" when referring to a smaller number of roads. Alternatives like "less road traffic" or "reduced road construction" can offer more precise ways to express related concepts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fewer paved roads

Specifies that the reduction pertains to roads with paved surfaces.

fewer highways

Specifies a reduced number of major roads intended for long-distance travel.

fewer byways

Implies a smaller number of minor or secondary roads.

less road traffic

Changes the focus from the physical roads to the amount of traffic using them.

fewer thoroughfares

A more formal synonym for roads, indicating major routes for traffic.

reduced road construction

Emphasizes a decrease in the building of roads rather than their overall number.

fewer routes

Replaces "roads" with a more general term that could include roads, paths or courses.

fewer avenues

Specifies that fewer major roads exists.

decreased roadway usage

Focuses on the extent to which roads are used, implying fewer vehicles or trips.

less road congestion

Shifts focus to the amount of traffic, implying the usability of the road.

FAQs

How do I correctly use "fewer roads" in a sentence?

Use "fewer roads" when you want to indicate a smaller number of roads. For example, "The rural area has "fewer roads" than the city".

Is it grammatically correct to say "fewer road"?

No, it is grammatically incorrect. "Fewer" is used with countable nouns in the plural, so you should always use ""fewer roads"".

What is the difference between "fewer roads" and "less road traffic"?

"Fewer roads" refers to the number of roads, while "less road traffic" refers to the amount of traffic on the roads. One describes infrastructure and the other describes flow.

What are some alternatives to saying "fewer roads"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "reduced road construction", "decreased roadway usage", or "less road traffic".