the fewest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the fewest" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to compare nouns and indicate the smaller amount of something out of two or more options. For example, "Of all the students, she has the fewest absences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The fewest, 13, are on Staten Island.

The New York Times

The nationalist SDLP won the fewest votes.

The Economist

That is the fewest since January 2008.

The New York Times

That was the fewest in baseball.

The New York Times

Wales had the fewest, with 12,000.

The Guardian

The east Midlands hosts the fewest.

The Guardian

Which hospitals have the fewest medical errors?

The New York Times

Which have the fewest hospital infections?

The New York Times

The fewest unique vowels is, unsurprisingly, one.

The Guardian - Sport

Change is slow because many buildings take the fewest risks.

The Guardian

They have the fewest victories in the league.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing groups or categories, use "the fewest" to clearly indicate which group has the smallest number of members or items. For example, "This department has the fewest employees".

Common error

Avoid using "less" when referring to countable items; "less" is for uncountable nouns. Instead of saying "less cars", say "fewer cars". Use "the fewest" to indicate the smallest number of countable items.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the fewest" functions as a determiner phrase that modifies a noun, specifying that the noun has the smallest quantity compared to others. Ludwig confirms this is grammatically sound and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the fewest" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to indicate the smallest number of countable items. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is versatile and appears across various contexts, including news, science, and business. It is crucial to use "the fewest" with countable nouns and avoid confusion with "the least", which is for uncountable nouns. When looking for alternatives, consider phrases like "the smallest number of" or "the minimum number of", but always prioritize clarity and context-appropriateness in your writing. Remember to use "fewer" instead of "less" when you want to use an adjective. For example: "fewer absences"

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the least number of

Emphasizes the numerical aspect using "number" instead of directly modifying a noun.

the smallest amount of

Focuses on the amount rather than the count, suitable for non-countable nouns.

the minimum quantity of

More formal and emphasizes a specific, often required, lower limit.

the lowest quantity of

Similar to 'minimum', but can apply more broadly than just requirements.

the scarcest amount of

Highlights rarity or limited availability, adding a sense of scarcity.

the most limited quantity of

Emphasizes restriction or limitation in supply or availability.

the slightest quantity of

Indicates a very small, often negligible, amount.

the minimal portion of

Focuses on the portion or share, suggesting something has been divided.

the most reduced number of

Indicates an active reduction or decrease to reach the smallest quantity.

the ultimate minimum of

Expresses the lowest possible amount under specific constraints or conditions.

FAQs

How do I use "the fewest" in a sentence?

Use "the fewest" to indicate the smallest quantity among a group of countable items. For example, "Among all applicants, she had "the fewest" errors on her application".

What's the difference between "the fewest" and "the least"?

"The fewest" is used for countable nouns (e.g., "the fewest errors"), while "the least" is used for uncountable nouns (e.g., "the least amount of effort") or in abstract senses.

What can I say instead of "the fewest"?

Alternatives include "the smallest number of", "the minimum number of", or "the lowest number of", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "the fewest amount"?

While not strictly incorrect, it is generally better to use "the smallest amount" or "the least amount" when referring to something uncountable. "The fewest" is best reserved for countable items.