fewer workers

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fewer workers" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when referring to a smaller number of countable items, in this case, workers. Example: "Due to budget cuts, the company has decided to hire fewer workers this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Fewer and fewer workers were able to join a union at all.

Vice

Fewer models means Chrysler will need fewer workers.

The New York Times

Fewer people of working age means, obviously enough, fewer workers.

The New York Times

There are fewer workers.

The Economist

And fewer workers.

The New York Times - Magazine

Farmers employ far fewer workers.

The Economist

That means fewer workers.

The New York Times

The farm employs far fewer workers.

The New York Times

Hyperefficient globalized companies need fewer workers.

The New York Times

More endurance means fewer workers.

The New York Times

The fewer workers they employ, the better.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fewer workers", ensure you're referring to countable individuals. For uncountable concepts like work or effort, use "less work".

Common error

Avoid using "less workers"; "fewer" is for countable nouns like workers. "Less" is for uncountable nouns. For example, say "fewer workers are needed" not "less workers are needed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fewer workers" functions as a determiner phrase modifying a noun, specifically quantifying a reduced number of individuals engaged in work. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in describing economic trends and company staffing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

13%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fewer workers" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to describe a reduction in the number of people employed or participating in the labor force. Ludwig AI validates the phrase, and Ludwig's examples show it appears frequently in news, academic, and business contexts. Be mindful to use "fewer" for countable items like workers, and not to confuse it with "less". Related phrases include "reduced workforce" and "smaller labor force". The prevalence and versatility of "fewer workers" make it an important term to understand in discussions about economic and labor trends.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduced workforce

Focuses on the workforce as a whole being smaller.

smaller labor force

Emphasizes the total number of people available for work is less.

decreased staffing levels

Highlights a reduction in the number of staff members.

lower employee count

Directly refers to having fewer employees.

downsized personnel

Implies a deliberate reduction in personnel, often due to restructuring.

thinner ranks of labor

A more figurative way to describe a reduced workforce.

less manpower

Emphasizes a reduction in the available physical strength and effort of workers. Less formal.

a cut in personnel

Highlights a reduction to workers or staff.

diminished workforce

Highlights a reduction in the existing workforce.

a drop in employee numbers

Illustrates a numerical fall in the people employed by a company.

FAQs

How do I use "fewer workers" in a sentence?

Use "fewer workers" when you want to indicate a reduction in the number of employees or laborers. For instance, "The company now requires "fewer workers" due to automation".

What's a good alternative to saying "fewer workers"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "reduced workforce", "smaller labor force", or "decreased staffing levels".

Is it correct to say "less workers" instead of "fewer workers"?

No, it's grammatically incorrect. "Fewer" is used for countable nouns, while "less" is for uncountable nouns. The correct phrase is ""fewer workers"".

What's the impact of having "fewer workers" on the economy?

Having "fewer workers" can lead to increased productivity per worker, but it may also result in higher unemployment rates and reduced consumer spending if not managed properly. Economic impacts depend on the reasons why there are "fewer workers", such as automation or economic downturns.