How to shorten COUNTIF formulas (without using VBA)

I have a spreadsheet that i would like to shorten the formulas (if possible).

I have discovered that it is possible to shorten SUMIFS using the {curly brackets} to make an array of the options for a given range.

However, I still havent found if there is similar method for COUNTIF.

I did try to use the {curly brackets} method on a COUNTIF formula, but it doesnt seem to work.

Does anyone know of methods to shorten formulas that have repeated sections, and for what functions they can be applied to?

yes i have Office 16 on Mac.

I just discovered (trying from my thoughts) how to shorten COUNTIF with the curly brackets, the trick is to also wrap the COUNTIF in SUM, so it would look like this:

SUM(COUNTIF(range{variable1,variable2,variable3,variable,4}))

oh yes indeed, thanks for the correction, and the advice for using the forum, it has been many years since ive used them, time to relearn those skills

Attach your sample workbook.