Use 'less' to show a smaller amount of something, especially with uncountable nouns.
Mot en 30 secondes
- Indicates a smaller amount or degree.
- Used with uncountable nouns and to modify adjectives/adverbs.
- Can be used informally with countable nouns too.
Overview
The word 'less' primarily functions as an adverb and a determiner, indicating a smaller quantity or degree. As an adverb, it modifies adjectives or other adverbs, suggesting a lesser extent (e.g., 'He is less tall than his brother'). As a determiner, it precedes uncountable nouns to signify a reduced amount (e.g., 'I have less time than I thought'). This usage is common in both spoken and written English.
Usage Patterns
'Less' is widely used across various registers. In informal speech and writing, it is common to hear 'less' used with plural countable nouns, although traditionally 'fewer' is considered more grammatically correct in such cases (e.g., 'I have less apples than you'). However, this is changing, and 'less' is increasingly accepted. In formal contexts, particularly in academic or business writing, adhering to the 'fewer' for countable nouns and 'less' for uncountable nouns rule is often preferred.
Common Contexts
In daily life, 'less' is used for comparisons of quantity and degree, such as in shopping ('This costs less than that'), time management ('I need less sleep'), or personal preferences ('I want less sugar in my coffee'). In educational settings, it's used to compare performance or resources. In professional environments, it might relate to budgets, production, or efficiency ('We achieved less output this quarter').
Exemples
I have less money than I thought.
everydayJ'ai moins d'argent que je ne pensais.
She speaks English less fluently than her brother.
formalElle parle anglais moins couramment que son frère.
We need to spend less time on social media.
informalNous devons passer moins de temps sur les réseaux sociaux.
The recipe requires less salt.
daily lifeLa recette demande moins de sel.
There were fewer than five people at the meeting.
formalIl y avait moins de cinq personnes à la réunion.
He seems less interested in the project now.
everydayIl semble moins intéressé par le projet maintenant.
Collocations courantes
Phrases Courantes
less than
moins de
no less than
pas moins de
less is more
moins c'est plus
Souvent confondu avec
'Fewer' is used with countable nouns (e.g., fewer books), while 'less' is used with uncountable nouns (e.g., less water). However, 'less' is often used informally with countable nouns.
'Little' is used with uncountable nouns to indicate a small amount (e.g., 'a little water'), while 'less' indicates a smaller amount compared to something else (e.g., 'less water than before').
Modèles grammaticaux
How to Use It
Notes d'usage
While 'less' is primarily used with uncountable nouns (e.g., 'less sugar'), its use with countable nouns (e.g., 'less than ten items') is increasingly common in informal contexts. In formal writing, it's generally recommended to use 'fewer' for countable nouns.
Erreurs courantes
Learners often incorrectly use 'less' with plural countable nouns in formal situations where 'fewer' would be more appropriate. For example, saying 'less mistakes' instead of 'fewer mistakes'.
Tips
Countable vs. Uncountable
Remember: 'fewer' for countable items, 'less' for uncountable amounts. When in doubt, check if you can put a number before the noun.
Formal Writing
In formal writing, stick to the traditional rule: 'fewer' for countable, 'less' for uncountable to avoid sounding informal.
Modern Usage
Be aware that the use of 'less' with countable nouns is becoming more common and accepted in everyday conversation.
Origine du mot
The word 'less' comes from the Old English 'lǣs', meaning 'smaller, not so much'. It is related to the word 'least'.
Contexte culturel
In consumer culture, 'less' is often associated with concepts like 'less waste' or 'less packaging', reflecting a growing awareness of environmental impact.
Astuce mémo
Think of 'less' as 'lesser amount' – it's easier to measure a single 'amount' (uncountable) than to count individual items.
Questions fréquentes
8 questions'Fewer' is used for countable nouns (things you can count, like 'apples' or 'people'), while 'less' is traditionally used for uncountable nouns (things you cannot count, like 'water' or 'time'). However, 'less' is often used informally with countable nouns too.
Traditionally, no. 'Fewer' is preferred for countable nouns. For example, 'fewer cars', not 'less cars'. However, in informal speech and writing, 'less' is commonly used with countable nouns, especially when referring to numbers or quantities as a single concept.
As an adverb, 'less' modifies adjectives or other adverbs to indicate a smaller degree or extent. For example, 'The room was less crowded than I expected.'
Yes, 'less' can sometimes function as a preposition, meaning 'without' or 'minus'. For example, 'They arrived one hour less than scheduled.'
Not necessarily. While it indicates reduction, it doesn't always carry a negative connotation. For instance, 'less pollution' is a positive outcome.
It's used to show that something has a smaller amount, degree, or extent compared to something else. For example, 'This book is less interesting than the last one.'
'Much less' is used to emphasize that something is even smaller or less likely. For example, 'He can barely read, much less write.'
Yes, common phrases include 'less than', 'no less than', and 'less and less'.
Teste-toi
There are ___ students in the class today than yesterday.
'Students' are countable, so 'fewer' is traditionally correct in formal contexts.
What does 'less' primarily indicate?
'Less' is used to indicate a smaller quantity, amount, or degree of something.
need / I / time / less / have / now
This sentence uses 'less' correctly with the uncountable noun 'time' to indicate a smaller quantity.
Score : /3
Summary
Use 'less' to show a smaller amount of something, especially with uncountable nouns.
- Indicates a smaller amount or degree.
- Used with uncountable nouns and to modify adjectives/adverbs.
- Can be used informally with countable nouns too.
Countable vs. Uncountable
Remember: 'fewer' for countable items, 'less' for uncountable amounts. When in doubt, check if you can put a number before the noun.
Formal Writing
In formal writing, stick to the traditional rule: 'fewer' for countable, 'less' for uncountable to avoid sounding informal.
Modern Usage
Be aware that the use of 'less' with countable nouns is becoming more common and accepted in everyday conversation.
Exemples
6 sur 6I have less money than I thought.
J'ai moins d'argent que je ne pensais.
She speaks English less fluently than her brother.
Elle parle anglais moins couramment que son frère.
We need to spend less time on social media.
Nous devons passer moins de temps sur les réseaux sociaux.
The recipe requires less salt.
La recette demande moins de sel.
There were fewer than five people at the meeting.
Il y avait moins de cinq personnes à la réunion.
He seems less interested in the project now.
Il semble moins intéressé par le projet maintenant.
Quiz rapide
This phone is ___ expensive than the one I bought last year.
Correct !
La bonne réponse est : less
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