will be fewer

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "will be fewer" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when referring to a countable noun and indicating that the quantity will decrease in the future. Example: "Next year, there will be fewer participants in the competition than this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There will be fewer retail stores".

The New York Times

There will be fewer flights of fancy.

The Economist

There will be fewer short-term contracts.

The Economist

There will be fewer drugs.

Cornell University

But there will be fewer of them.

The New York Times

There will be fewer "bespoke" programme sites.

The Guardian

There will be fewer filmed entertainment series.

The New York Times - Arts

Generally, "there will be fewer points served," he said.

The New York Times

The upshot is that there will be fewer points awarded.

The Guardian

This time there will be fewer promotional partners.

The New York Times

There will be fewer seats at the table.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "will be fewer", ensure the noun you are referring to is countable. For uncountable nouns, use "will be less".

Common error

Avoid using "less" when "fewer" is grammatically correct. "Fewer" is for countable items (e.g., "There will be fewer cars on the road"), while "less" is for uncountable quantities (e.g., "There will be less traffic today").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "will be fewer" functions as a determiner phrase indicating a future decrease in the quantity of countable items. It's used to express that the number of something is expected to be less than it currently is. Ludwig provides several examples illustrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "will be fewer" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to indicate a future decrease in the quantity of countable nouns. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, academic, and scientific writing. Remember to use "fewer" for countable nouns and "less" for uncountable ones. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively communicate anticipated reductions and avoid common grammatical errors. Related phrases can offer alternate ways to express similar ideas, enhancing the clarity and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there will be less of

Uses "less" instead of "fewer", applicable when the noun is uncountable.

there will be a reduction in

Replaces "fewer" with a more formal noun phrase.

there will be a decline in

Substitutes "fewer" with a noun suggesting a downward trend.

the number of will decrease

Emphasizes the numerical aspect with a direct verb choice.

the availability of will lessen

Indicates a reduction in how readily something is accessible.

a smaller quantity of will exist

Uses more explicit terms to denote quantity and existence.

a lower proportion of will be present

Expresses the reduction in terms of relative amount.

the incidence of will diminish

Focuses on the rate of occurrence rather than absolute numbers.

a curtailed amount of will remain

Emphasizes the restriction or limitation of the quantity.

there will be a scarcity of

Highlights the limited availability of something.

FAQs

How do I use "will be fewer" correctly in a sentence?

Use "will be fewer" to indicate a decrease in the quantity of countable nouns in the future. For example, "There "will be fewer" opportunities next year."

What's the difference between "will be fewer" and "will be less"?

"Will be fewer" is used for countable nouns, while "will be less" is for uncountable nouns. For example, "There "will be fewer" students" versus "There "will be less" traffic."

Can I use "will be less" instead of "will be fewer"?

No, not when referring to countable nouns. "Will be less" is appropriate for uncountable nouns. Use "will be fewer" to describe a reduction in countable items.

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "will be fewer"?

Alternatives include phrases like "there will be a reduction in", "the number of will decrease", or "there will be a decline in", depending on the context.