(1) fewer是few的比较级,less是little的比较级。在理论上,前者用于复数名词前,后者用于不可数名词前。
- There have been fewer accidents on this road since the speed limit was introduced.
自从实施速度限制以来,这条路上的交通事故已经少了一些了。 - I earn less money than a postman.
我挣的钱比一个邮递员挣的还少。
(2) 但在现代英语中,许多人在复数名词前使用less(特别在非正式文体中),或者用less来指可数的事物。
- I've got less friends this year than ever before.
我今年的朋友比以往什么时候都少。 - It had cost him less than 100 dollars.
他花了不到100美元。 - I wish to finish the work in less than two months.
我希望在两个月内完成这项工作。