fewer transportation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fewer transportation" is not correct in standard written English.
The term "fewer" is used with countable nouns, while "transportation" is an uncountable noun. Example: "We need fewer transportation options to reduce congestion in the city."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

(Participant 21, female) Participants aged 65 or older reported relatively fewer transportation problems because their transportation was usually supported by non-governmental organisations or volunteers.

BMJ Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

There are few transportation options nearby.

The New York Times

And around the region, few transportation delays were reported.

The New York Times

There are few transportation links that traverse the Paraná River to the east.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Toll increases at the Port Authority are often highly choreographed affairs, and few transportation groups expected the initial proposal to remain unchanged.

The New York Times

And for those who, like Mrs. Riddle, give up driving, there may be quite a few transportation options to keep them from becoming isolated and housebound.

The New York Times - Health

"The poor are often stuck in urban neighborhoods with the fewest transportation options for getting to jobs, childcare, healthcare, and … that makes it harder for them to climb out of poverty and exacerbates inequality," Moss Kanter writes.

The Guardian

There are few transportation options during the isolated Antarctic winter.

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

While the stock market is looking forward to an economic recovery down the road, a few transportation companies are ahead of the pack.

Forbes

A multi-channel strategy for the purposes of marketing and ticketing has been widely employed in various fields, including the transportation industry, yet few transportation studies have investigated ticket channel-related issues.

Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice

They believe the few transportation operators will be willing to convey emergency cases once payment for the cost of transportation is guaranteed.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you want to express a reduction in transportation, prefer the phrase "less transportation" or "reduced transportation" as "transportation" is an uncountable noun.

Common error

Avoid using "fewer" with uncountable nouns like "transportation". Remember that "fewer" is for items you can count individually. Using "less transportation" is grammatically more accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fewer transportation" typically functions as a modifier followed by a noun. It aims to quantify or describe the extent of transportation, but is grammatically suspect, as stated by Ludwig AI, because of the incorrect use of the word "fewer".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "fewer transportation" appears across various sources, it is grammatically questionable because "transportation" is an uncountable noun. Ludwig AI also confirms this grammar issue. Prefer alternatives like "less transportation" or "reduced transportation" for accuracy. Although found in news, science, and encyclopedia sources, be mindful of its grammatical correctness in formal writing. Focus instead on phrases that appropriately quantify or describe transportation in a manner that is both clear and grammatically sound.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Less transportation

Replaces "fewer" with "less", which is appropriate for uncountable nouns like "transportation".

Reduced transportation

Uses "reduced" to indicate a decrease in transportation, suitable for uncountable nouns.

A decrease in transportation

Emphasizes the reduction using a noun phrase.

A decline in transportation

Replaces "decrease" with "decline" suggesting a more gradual reduction.

Limited transportation options

Focuses on the restricted availability of transportation.

Scarce transportation resources

Highlights the limited availability of transportation as a resource.

A shortage of transportation

Indicates a lack of adequate transportation.

Diminished transportation services

Emphasizes the reduction in transportation services.

Restricted access to transportation

Focuses on limited accessibility.

A curtailment of transportation

Suggests a formal or deliberate reduction.

FAQs

What is a more grammatically correct alternative to "fewer transportation"?

Since "transportation" is an uncountable noun, it's more appropriate to use "less transportation" or "reduced transportation".

How can I use "less transportation" in a sentence?

You might say, "We need less transportation to decrease our carbon footprint" or "The city aims for less transportation and more pedestrian-friendly zones".

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

"Fewer" is used for countable nouns (e.g., "fewer cars"), while "less" is used for uncountable nouns (e.g., "less traffic", "less transportation").

Is it ever correct to use "fewer" when discussing transportation?

You could use "fewer" if you're talking about countable units related to transportation, such as "fewer buses" or "fewer trains", but not with the general term "transportation" itself.