Definition less in British English

Less is the comparative form of the function word little and can be used in the following ways:

as a determiner (before a noun): Eat less fat.Schools put less emphasis on being creative.

as a pronoun: Connie did less than anyone else. (followed by ‘of’): He seemed to spend less of his time with her.

as an adverb (before an adjective or another adverb): The red jacket is less expensive. (with a verb): I’ve been trying to work less at the weekends.

as a preposition (before a noun): a profit of £3,000, less tax

Don’t confuse less and fewer:

▪ less is the comparative form of little. It is used mainly with uncountable nouns

▪ fewer is the comparative form of few. It is used with plural nouns

✗ He can express more things using less words.

✓ He can express more things using fewer words.

✗ If there were more policemen on the street, there would be less crimes.

✓ If there were more policemen on the street, there would be fewer crimes.

✓ If there were more policemen on the street, there would be less crime.

✗ Less and less people find it necessary to visit their friends when they can easily use the phone.

✓ Fewer and fewer people find it necessary to visit their friends when they can easily use the phone.

In informal English, less is often found with plural nouns, but many people consider this to be incorrect, and it should be avoided in academic writing.