still fewer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "still fewer" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you need to indicate that a decrease in something has happened to a lesser degree than previously. For example, "Of the remaining candidates, still fewer passed the second round of interviews."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Still fewer than that had flush toilets.

Cornell University

Still fewer of us stand for office.

The Guardian

But there were still fewer than 24,000 Jews there.

The New York Times

Still fewer people consider the different ways that bulbs distribute light.

The New York Times

Nine years after inheriting her glacial profession, she has collected few acquaintances and still fewer friends.

The New York Times - Books

It's a problem that only a few architects have grappled with, and still fewer successfully.

The New Yorker

If few poems can be dated accurately, still fewer can be attributed to particular poets.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And if recent trends continue, still fewer women voting than men.

The Guardian

But still fewer than six out of 10 people aged 18-to-24 18-to-24 18-to-24 voted

The Guardian

But that total is still fewer than half the number estimated five years ago.

The New York Times

Local journalists would have still fewer choices, since leaving is not always an option.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "still fewer", ensure that the context clearly establishes what the original quantity or number was, so the reduction is easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "still fewer" with uncountable nouns; "fewer" is for countable items. For uncountable items, use "still less" instead. For example, "still fewer apples" (correct) vs. "still less water" (correct).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "still fewer" functions as a determiner and quantifier, modifying a noun to indicate a reduced quantity compared to a previously mentioned small amount. Ludwig examples show its use across various contexts to express diminishing numbers.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "still fewer" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote a further reduction in number from an already limited quantity. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and utility across varied contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science, it serves to emphasize a continuous decline. When using "still fewer", ensure it modifies countable nouns, opting for "still less" with uncountable nouns. Employing "still fewer" adds nuance by underscoring the diminishing nature of the subject.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

even less

Changes the adjective from "fewer" to "less", slightly altering the emphasis from countable to uncountable items.

yet fewer

Substitutes "still" with "yet", offering a slightly different tone while maintaining the same meaning.

still a smaller number

Replaces "fewer" with a more explicit phrase, clarifying the concept of a reduced quantity.

an even smaller amount

Emphasizes the reduction in quantity by using "amount" instead of "number", implying a continuous quantity.

a reduced amount

Highlights the reduction in the amount.

even a minority

Highlights that a quantity is not just decreasing but becoming a minority.

an additional reduction

Highlights the fact that it is another or an additional reduction

even more rare

Focuses on the increasing rarity of something, similar to the reduction in number or amount.

still a trickle

Implies that not many or only a small number exists.

still a handful

Suggests a small quantity, similar to 'few', implying that even this limited number is diminishing.

FAQs

How can I use "still fewer" in a sentence?

Use "still fewer" to indicate a further reduction in number from an already small amount. For instance, "Initially, few attended the seminar, and "still fewer" returned for the follow-up session".

What's the difference between "still fewer" and "even fewer"?

"Still fewer" emphasizes the continuing decrease, while "even fewer" simply highlights the reduced quantity. They are often interchangeable, but "still fewer" has a stronger sense of ongoing reduction.

Is it correct to use "still fewer" with uncountable nouns?

No, "still fewer" is used with countable nouns. For uncountable nouns, use "still less" instead. For example, "still fewer books" vs. "still less water".

What are some alternatives to "still fewer"?

You can use alternatives like "even less", "a smaller number", or "yet fewer" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.