it is fewer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is fewer" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when referring to a countable quantity that is less than another quantity. Example: "In this case, it is fewer apples than we expected to receive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

But it is fewer than he ought to have.

The Economist

The latest figure I have is that it is fewer than ten.

The Guardian

But it is fewer jobs than is necessary to pull the unemployment rate down from its elevated level of 7.8 percent very quickly.

The New York Times

Made in a confidential memo for ministers and published in the Guardian, it is fewer than the 40,000 officers' jobs the Police Federation originally feared would be at risk.

The Guardian

In the U.S. per capita oil consumption is more than 24 barrels a year; in emerging Asia it is fewer than 2 barrels.

Forbes

And while one in four of students at some universities are disadvantaged white men, at others it is fewer than one in 35.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

As it is, few creations outlive their creators.

The New Yorker

And the housing market being what it is, few souls are returning.

The New York Times

It's fewer calories than a carrot".

The New York Times

Aides to Mr. Shelby said it was fewer than 28,000.

The New York Times

Fifty years ago, it was fewer than one in ten.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fewer" specifically for countable nouns. For uncountable nouns, use "less". For example, "it is fewer apples" (countable) versus "it is less water" (uncountable).

Common error

Avoid using "less" when referring to countable items. "Less" is for uncountable nouns. A common mistake is saying "it is less cars" instead of the correct "it is fewer cars".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is fewer" primarily functions as a comparative adjective phrase. It indicates that the quantity or number of something is less than a previously mentioned or expected amount. Ludwig AI supports this by showcasing examples where this phrase is utilized for quantitative comparisons.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

17%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is fewer" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to denote a smaller quantity of countable items. As verified by Ludwig AI, it finds frequent application in news and media, with a neutral register adaptable to formal and informal contexts. While primarily used for quantitative comparisons, remember to use "fewer" with countable nouns and avoid confusion with "less", which is reserved for uncountable nouns. Several alternative phrases, such as "it's a smaller number" and "there are not as many", offer similar semantic value while diversifying your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's a smaller number

Rephrases the concept using "smaller number" instead of "fewer".

it's a reduced amount

Uses "reduced amount" to convey a decrease in quantity.

there are not as many

Emphasizes quantity using "not as many".

the quantity is lower

Focuses on the lower quantity compared to something else.

it constitutes less

Formal rephrasing using "constitutes less".

it is a minority

Expresses a smaller portion using "minority".

it's a more limited quantity

Highlights the limited nature of the quantity.

the incidence is rarer

Focuses on the rarity of occurrence.

it represents a decline

Indicates a reduction or decrease.

there is a deficit

Suggests a shortage or lack.

FAQs

How do I use "it is fewer" correctly in a sentence?

Use "it is fewer" when you are comparing countable items. For example, "It is fewer problems than we anticipated".

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

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

What can I say instead of "it is fewer"?

You can use alternatives like "it's a smaller number", "there are not as many", or "the quantity is lower depending on the context".

Is "it is fewer than" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it is fewer than" is grammatically correct and used for comparisons. For example, "It is fewer than ten". The word "fewer" is used correctly here because it is referencing a countable number, rather than referring to a mass quantity.