Less vs. Lower – Which is Correct?

The distinction between less and lower centers on what they modify. Use less for uncountable nouns (e.g., less water, less time) or abstract concepts of quantity. Use lower as the comparative form of the adjective low, referring to position, degree, or intensity, or as a verb meaning to reduce something.

Less or Lower – Which is Correct?

Both less and lower are grammatically correct words in American English, but they serve different functions and are used in distinct contexts. The core difference lies in what they are intended to describe or modify. Less is primarily used with uncountable nouns, indicating a smaller amount of something that cannot be counted individually. In contrast, lower functions as the comparative form of the adjective or adverb low, indicating a reduced position, degree, or intensity. It can also be a verb, meaning to move something downwards or decrease its value.

The Best Trick to Remember the Difference

To remember the difference, think of the “Countability Test” for less and the “Position/Degree Test” for lower.

• For Less: Can you count the individual items? If not (e.g., water, time, effort), use less. If you can count them (e.g., apples, cars, people), you should generally use fewer, not less. While less is increasingly used with countable nouns in informal contexts, the traditional rule holds for formal writing.
• For Lower: Does it refer to a physical position, a rank, a volume, a price, or a level that has been reduced? If so, lower is appropriate. Think of it as “more low.”

Word	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
Less	Determiner, Adverb	A smaller amount; to a smaller extent; used with uncountable nouns.	We need less sugar in the cake.
Lower	Adjective, Adverb, Verb	Comparative of “low”; to move to a less high position; to reduce.	The price of gas is lower today.

How to Use Less

Less functions primarily as a determiner or adverb, indicating a smaller quantity or degree. Its most common and traditionally correct usage is with uncountable nouns, such as substances (water, sand), abstract concepts (happiness, effort), or mass terms (money, time, information). For instance, you would say “less traffic” or “less stress.” It can also be used with numbers or quantities when they are treated as a single unit or measure, such as “less than five miles” or “less than $100.”

Example 1: She dedicated less time to her hobbies this year.

Example 2: Can you add less salt to the soup next time?

Example 3: The new policy resulted in less waste overall.

What are the different forms of Less?

Less is the comparative form of the adjective and determiner little. Its forms are:

• Positive: little (e.g., “a little effort”)
• Comparative: less (e.g., “less effort”)
• Superlative: least (e.g., “the least effort”)

Etymology of the word Less

The word less originates from Old English læs, which meant “smaller, fewer, not so much.” It comes from the Proto-Germanic root *laisiz, meaning “small, little.” Its development has historically linked it to the concept of reduction in quantity or amount, particularly for non-countable items.

How to Use Lower

Lower serves multiple grammatical roles. As an adjective or adverb, it is the comparative form of low, indicating a position that is not as high, a reduced degree, or a lesser intensity. For example, “a lower shelf,” “speak in a lower voice,” or “temperatures are lower today.” As a verb, lower means to move something downwards, to reduce its level, amount, or value, or to decrease its intensity. For instance, “to lower the flag,” “to lower prices,” or “to lower your expectations.”

Example 1: Please lower your voice when you’re in the library.

Example 2: The company decided to lower its production costs.

Example 3: The sun sets at a much lower angle in winter.

What are the different forms of Lower?

As an adjective/adverb, lower is the comparative form of low:

• Positive: low (e.g., “a low price”)
• Comparative: lower (e.g., “a lower price”)
• Superlative: lowest (e.g., “the lowest price”)

As a verb, lower conjugates regularly:

• Base form: lower
• Third person singular present: lowers
• Past tense: lowered
• Present participle: lowering
• Past participle: lowered

Etymology of the word Lower

The word lower comes from the Old English word lah, meaning “not high, not tall, shallow.” It is of Scandinavian origin, related to Old Norse lágr. The verb form “to lower” developed from the adjective, signifying the act of making something less high or reducing it.

Related Concepts

Understanding a few broader grammatical concepts can significantly clarify the correct usage of less and lower.

• Countable vs. Uncountable Nouns: This fundamental distinction is key to using less correctly. Countable nouns can be counted individually (e.g., books, chairs), while uncountable nouns refer to things that cannot be counted individually and are treated as a mass (e.g., water, information, happiness). Traditionally, fewer is used with countable nouns, and less with uncountable nouns.
• Comparative Adjectives/Adverbs: Both less and lower function as comparatives. Less is the comparative of little, indicating a smaller quantity. Lower is the comparative of low, indicating a reduced position, degree, or intensity. Recognizing when you are making a comparison of quantity versus a comparison of level or degree is crucial.

Examples from Media and Literature

• “I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” – Robert Frost, “The Road Not Taken” (Here, “less traveled” refers to an uncountable concept of travel.)
• “The company announced lower earnings than expected for the last quarter.” – News headline (Referring to a reduced amount of earnings.)
• “With a sudden jerk, he managed to lower himself into the small opening.” – Adventure novel (Referring to the act of moving downwards.)
• “There was less enthusiasm for the proposal than anticipated.” – Business report (Referring to an uncountable amount of enthusiasm.)
• “She always keeps her voice at a lower pitch when she’s trying to be discreet.” – Character description (Referring to a reduced degree of pitch.)

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

1. The new diet promised (less / lower) hunger throughout the day.
2. Can you (less / lower) the blinds? The sun is too bright.
3. We have (less / lower) funding available for the project this year.
4. The architect suggested a (less / lower) roofline for the new building.
5. She felt (less / lower) confident after receiving the feedback.

Answer Key

1. less
2. lower
3. less
4. lower
5. less

Less Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Smaller amount	A reduced quantity, typically of an uncountable noun.
Not so much	Indicating a lesser degree or extent.
Minus	Used in mathematical contexts to denote subtraction.

Lower Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Reduce	To make something smaller in amount, degree, or intensity (verb).
Decrease	To become or make less (verb).
Abridged	Made shorter or reduced (adjective, often for texts).
Inferior	Lower in rank, status, or quality (adjective).

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: What is the main rule for using less vs. fewer?
The traditional rule states that less should be used with uncountable nouns (e.g., less water, less time), while fewer should be used with countable nouns (e.g., fewer cars, fewer people). While less is increasingly common with countables in informal speech, adhering to the fewer/less distinction is preferred in formal writing.

Question 2: Can lower be used to describe abstract concepts?
Yes, lower can describe abstract concepts related to degree, rank, or intensity. For example, you can have lower expectations, a lower status, or lower morale. It signifies a reduction in the level or position of an abstract idea.

Question 3: Is it ever correct to use less with countable nouns?
While traditionally considered incorrect, “less” is widely used with countable nouns referring to distance, money, and time (e.g., “less than five miles,” “less than $20,” “less than three hours”). In general usage, especially informal, less with countable nouns is becoming more accepted, but for formal contexts, sticking to fewer for individual countable items is advisable.

Conclusion

Mastering the use of less and lower enhances clarity and precision in your writing and speech. Remember that less typically refers to a smaller amount of something uncountable, while lower denotes a reduced position, degree, or intensity, or the act of bringing something down. By applying the “Countability Test” for less and the “Position/Degree Test” for lower, you can confidently navigate their usage.

Pro Tip: When in doubt, consider if you’re talking about a quantity you can’t count individually (use less) or a reduction in height, level, or value (use lower). Correct usage reflects attention to detail and strengthens your professional communication.