further fewer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "further fewer" is not correct and does not make sense in written English.
It seems to be a combination of two separate terms that do not logically fit together. Example: "We need to consider further fewer options to streamline our decision-making process."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

If the economy weakens further, fewer people are able to afford mortgages so home foreclosures increase".

The New York Times

Further, fewer studies tried to select representative metrics from the numerous metrics for LST indication.

Ecological Indicators

Further, fewer iterations and fast computational time shown in Table 2 demonstrate that the four methods are comparatively efficient as the fast FMM.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

Further, fewer male Blackburnian Warblers flocked in silvopastures compared to other habitats, which is consistent with other studies showing that overwintering male migrants tend to occupy the highest quality habitats.

Biological Conservation

Further, fewer than half (43 %) were likely pure Alzheimer's disease.

BMC Geriatrics

Further, fewer injections were administered during the first year compared with the SUSTAIN [ 25], LUMIERE [ 6], and PrONTO [ 20], studies (Table  4).

BMC Ophthalmology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

When the moment came, a further few decibel levels were found still.

The Guardian - Sport

Repeat twice more then leave under cold running water for a further few minutes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Further, few commercial managed care plans participate in these various Medicaid programs, especially in New York City.

The New York Times

It will then take a further few months for Bruce to get back to full fitness.

The Guardian - Music

But within a further few minutes, it was becoming urgently clear that disabled people suffer disproportional agonies.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "further fewer" in formal writing. Opt for clearer and more grammatically sound alternatives like "even fewer" or "still fewer".

Common error

Avoid combining "further", which indicates progression or extent, with "fewer", which denotes a smaller quantity. This combination often results in grammatically awkward and unclear sentences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "further fewer" attempts to combine the concept of progression (further) with a decrease in quantity (fewer). However, this combination is grammatically awkward and often results in unclear meaning. Ludwig AI notes this expression isn't correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "further fewer" is considered grammatically incorrect by Ludwig AI. While it appears in some sources, it's best avoided in favor of clearer alternatives such as "even fewer" or "still fewer". Its intended purpose is to express a continuing decrease in quantity, but its awkward construction undermines its effectiveness. Although present in various contexts, it is unsuitable for formal writing and should be replaced with more precise language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

even fewer

Focuses solely on the reduced quantity without implying additional progression or extent.

still fewer

Highlights a continuing reduction in quantity from a previous state.

even less

Shifts from discrete items to an uncountable quantity, while still maintaining the emphasis on reduction.

increasingly fewer

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the reduction in quantity.

furthermore, fewer

Connects two separate points where the second point emphasizes reduced amount of something.

in addition, fewer

Adds a point about a reduced quantity as an additional consideration.

a reduced number

Replaces the comparative with a direct statement of reduced quantity.

a smaller quantity

Uses a more general term for amount, removing the specific implication of discrete items.

progressively fewer

Similar to 'increasingly fewer' but emphasizes a steady, incremental reduction.

subsequently fewer

Indicates that a reduction in quantity occurs after a certain event or condition.

FAQs

Is "further fewer" grammatically correct?

The phrase "further fewer" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It combines "further", indicating progression or extent, with "fewer", which denotes a smaller quantity. Using alternatives like "even fewer" or "still fewer" is recommended.

What's a better alternative to "further fewer"?

Depending on the context, you can replace "further fewer" with phrases like "even fewer", "still fewer", or "increasingly fewer". The best choice depends on whether you want to emphasize a smaller amount or a continuing trend.

How can I avoid using "further fewer" in my writing?

To avoid using "further fewer", focus on expressing either the progression or the reduced quantity separately. For example, instead of "further fewer options", you could say "even fewer options" or "we need to limit our options further".

In what contexts might I encounter the phrase "further fewer"?

While not grammatically preferred, you might encounter "further fewer" in informal contexts or in writing where precision isn't prioritized. However, it's best to avoid using it in formal or academic writing. Ludwig AI indicates that it's not a correct expression in English.