【less和fewer的用法区别】在英语学习中,"less" 和 "fewer" 是两个常被混淆的词,它们都表示“更少”,但在使用上有着明确的区别。理解这两个词的正确用法,有助于提升语言表达的准确性。
一、基本区别总结
| 项目 | less | fewer |
| 用法 | 用于不可数名词 | 用于可数名词 |
| 含义 | 更少(量) | 更少(数量) |
| 例句 | I have less time. | I have fewer books. |
二、详细说明
1. less 的用法:
- 用于不可数名词:当所修饰的名词是不可数时,应使用 "less"。
- 常见不可数名词:water, time, money, information, advice, progress 等。
- 例句:
- I need less sugar in my coffee.
- There is less pollution now than before.
2. fewer 的用法:
- 用于可数名词:当所修饰的名词是可数时,应使用 "fewer"。
- 常见可数名词:books, people, cars, apples, problems 等。
- 例句:
- She has fewer friends than me.
- There are fewer students in this class this year.
三、常见误区
很多人会误以为 “less” 比 “fewer” 更正式或更高级,但其实两者只是用法不同。比如:
- ❌ I have less apples.(错误)
- ✅ I have fewer apples.(正确)
同样地:
- ❌ He has fewer money.(错误)
- ✅ He has less money.(正确)
四、小贴士
- 记住一句口诀:“Fewer for few things, less for less things.”
(“fewer”用于“few”的东西,即可数名词;“less”用于“less”的东西,即不可数名词。)
- 如果不确定某个词是否可数,可以尝试用 “a” 或 “an” 来判断。如果可以加 “a” 或 “an”,那就是可数名词,用 “fewer”。
五、总结表格
| 项目 | less | fewer |
| 适用对象 | 不可数名词 | 可数名词 |
| 常见例子 | time, water, money | books, people, cars |
| 错误示例 | I have less books. | I have fewer water. |
| 正确用法 | I have less time. | I have fewer books. |
掌握 "less" 和 "fewer" 的正确用法,不仅能避免语法错误,还能让英语表达更加地道自然。希望这份简明总结能帮助你更好地理解和运用这两个词。


