no fewer than

USAGE SUMMARY

'no fewer than' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize the small number of something. For example, "The report revealed that no fewer than ten employees had committed fraud."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In 1981, no fewer than 200 private agencies helped.

The New York Times

And there are no fewer than three different Menu buttons.

The New York Times - Tech

(She does it no fewer than three times).

The New York Times - Arts

He called Haydn his friend no fewer than seven times.

The New York Times - Arts

For accommodations there are no fewer than 150 choices.

Forbes

The audience interrupted with applause no fewer than 81 times.

Huffington Post

Woods's New Orleans audience demanded no fewer than seven encores.

Wikipedia

If you ask me, they deserve no fewer than two keys to the city.

Vice

He raised no fewer than 25 questions.

The Economist

Taylor's supporters offered no fewer than fourteen.

The New Yorker

No fewer than two people on weekends.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "no fewer than" when you want to emphasize that a number is surprisingly high or significant. It adds a touch of formality and precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "less than" when referring to countable items. "Fewer than" is appropriate for countable nouns, while "less than" is for uncountable nouns. For example, use "no fewer than 10 apples", not "no less than 10 apples".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "no fewer than" functions as a quantifier, specifying a minimum number of countable items. It emphasizes that the actual number meets or exceeds a stated amount, which is consistent with Ludwig's AI analysis and demonstrated in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

18%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "no fewer than" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a minimum quantity of countable items, often with an emphasis on the number's significance. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. While alternatives like "at least" exist, "no fewer than" adds a formal tone. It's important to use "fewer" for countable items and avoid confusion with "less than", which applies to uncountable nouns. This phrase is prevalent in news, academic writing, and scientific publications, highlighting its broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no less than

Similar to "no fewer than" but can also refer to amounts and degrees.

at least

Indicates a minimum quantity, similar to "no fewer than" but less formal.

a minimum of

Emphasizes the lower boundary of a quantity, more formal than "at least".

not less than

A more formal and direct synonym, often used in legal or technical contexts.

at a minimum

Emphasizes the minimum requirement or expectation.

as many as

Highlights the surprisingly high number of something.

a good number of

Indicates a quantity that is considered significant or substantial.

in excess of

Implies that the actual number is likely higher than the stated minimum.

upwards of

Similar to "in excess of", suggesting an approximate minimum.

a significant amount of

Focuses on the importance or impact of the quantity.

FAQs

How do I use "no fewer than" in a sentence?

Use "no fewer than" to indicate a minimum number or quantity. For example, "The project required "no fewer than" ten participants."

What's the difference between "no fewer than" and "at least"?

"No fewer than" is more formal and emphasizes the surprising or significant nature of the quantity, while "at least" is more general and less emphatic. For example, you might say "at least ten people attended the meeting", but ""no fewer than" ten experts endorsed the proposal".

Is it correct to say "no less than" when referring to countable items?

While "no less than" can be used for countable items, it's generally more appropriate to use ""no fewer than"" for countable nouns and "no less than" for uncountable nouns or amounts. For example: "No fewer than 20 students participated" vs. "No less than 500 dollars was required".

What are some alternatives to "no fewer than"?

You can use alternatives like "at least", "a minimum of", or "not less than" depending on the context.