it was fewer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was fewer" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct usage would be "it was less" when referring to uncountable nouns. Example: "It was less than I expected."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

By 1979, it was fewer than 8 million.

The New York Times

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

The New Yorker

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

The New York Times

It was fewer than expected, and the lowest since October 2007.

The Guardian - Business

Duke, for example, received 400 early applications this year from California or overseas; in 2005, it was fewer than 100.

The New York Times

But several deadlines passed and when the prisoners finally released some captives, it was fewer than promised.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

As it was, few wanted to stay.

The New York Times

Experiences can also be positive, but in the present study it was few.

BMC Public Health

It's fewer calories than a carrot".

The New York Times

But it is fewer than he ought to have.

The Economist

Right now, it's fewer than 1,500 of 6,000 or so agents.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing countable items, consider replacing "fewer" with "a smaller number" or "less" with "a smaller amount" to avoid grammatical errors and enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "fewer" with uncountable nouns. "Fewer" is for countable items (e.g., "fewer cars"), while "less" is for uncountable items (e.g., "less water"). Using the correct term ensures grammatical accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was fewer" primarily functions as a comparative statement, indicating that a particular quantity or number was smaller than a previous one or an expected amount. This is evident in various examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "it was fewer" is commonly used across various sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as not entirely grammatically correct in standard written English. It generally functions as a comparative statement to indicate a reduction in quantity, appearing in neutral contexts, primarily in news and media. The key takeaway is that, while prevalent, writers should consider using alternatives like "it was less" (for uncountable nouns) or "it was a smaller number" (for countable nouns) to ensure grammatical precision and enhance clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was a smaller number

Replaces "fewer" with "smaller number" for clarity and grammatical correctness when referring to countable items.

it was a reduced amount

Substitutes "fewer" with "reduced amount", making it suitable for both countable and uncountable nouns.

it was a lower quantity

Employs "lower quantity" instead of "fewer", which is grammatically sound and widely accepted.

it was a lesser extent

Uses "lesser extent" in place of "fewer", shifting the focus to degree rather than quantity.

it was a diminished level

Replaces "fewer" with "diminished level", emphasizing a decrease in intensity or degree.

it was not as many

Rephrases the sentence to avoid using "fewer" directly, opting for a more descriptive comparison.

it was not as much

Alters the sentence structure to use "not as much" instead of "fewer", making it suitable for uncountable nouns.

the number was smaller

Changes the sentence structure to focus on the number being smaller, avoiding "fewer" altogether.

the quantity was lower

Shifts the emphasis to the quantity being lower, providing a more formal and grammatically correct alternative.

it was less

Offers a grammatically correct alternative using "less" when referring to uncountable nouns. Note that this alternative only works in specific contexts.

FAQs

Is "it was fewer" grammatically correct?

In standard English, "it was fewer" is often considered incorrect. "Fewer" should be used with countable nouns, while "less" is appropriate for uncountable nouns. Depending on the context, consider using "it was less" or "it was a smaller number".

When should I use "fewer" vs "less"?

"Fewer" is used for countable nouns (things you can count individually), like "fewer books" or "fewer people". "Less" is used for uncountable nouns (things you can't count individually), like "less water" or "less time".

What are some alternatives to using "it was fewer" in a sentence?

Depending on the context, you can replace "it was fewer" with phrases such as "it was a lower quantity", "it was a smaller amount", or "it was not as many".

How can I avoid mistakes when using "fewer" and "less"?

A simple trick is to ask yourself if you can count the item you're referring to. If you can count it individually, use "fewer". If you can't, use "less". For instance, "fewer opportunities" (countable) vs "less opportunity" (uncountable).