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Usenet Posted 22 years ago
English in UK
Fewer vs Less
I happen to be one of those that still support the old (fine) distinction between the usage of "less" and "fewer", with the former being limited to uncountable entities (e.g. less hassle, less effort), and "fewer" being the only correct word when the entities are countable (fewer people, fewer items). This is so much ingrained in me that I automatically choose and use the correct form (and cringe when I hear/see others using such phrases as "less crowds").
However, it occurred to me today that "less than ten(1) answered affirmatively" doesn't seem so stridently wrong; could this be because "less than ten" is being processed by my brain as "<10" in mathematical terms? Or is it that the word "ten" is itself uncountable?
(1) With "people" being implied.
Brian {Hamilton Kelly} (Email Removed) "I don't use Linux. I prefer to use an OS supported by a large multi- national vendor, with a good office suite, excellent network/internet software and decent hardware support."
However, it occurred to me today that "less than ten(1) answered affirmatively" doesn't seem so stridently wrong; could this be because "less than ten" is being processed by my brain as "<10" in mathematical terms? Or is it that the word "ten" is itself uncountable?
(1) With "people" being implied.
Brian {Hamilton Kelly} (Email Removed) "I don't use Linux. I prefer to use an OS supported by a large multi- national vendor, with a good office suite, excellent network/internet software and decent hardware support."
Top answer
[nq:1]I happen to be one of those that still support the old (fine) distinction between the usage of "less" and ... as " I think I would still prefer fewer. At my local Waitrose, one of the checkouts is labelled "six (VI) items or fewer" :-) John Briggs
- [nq:1]I happen to be one of those that still support the old (fine) distinction between the usage of "less" and ...
- as " I think I would still prefer fewer.
- At my local Waitrose, one of the checkouts is labelled "six (VI) items or fewer" :-) John Briggs
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3 Answers
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[nq:1]I happen to be one of those that still support the old (fine) distinction between the usage of "less" and ... as "<10" in mathematical terms? Or is it that the word "ten" is itself uncountable? (1) With "people" being implied.[/nq]
I think I would still prefer fewer. At my local Waitrose, one of the checkouts is labelled "six (VI) items or fewer" :-)
John Briggs
I think I would still prefer fewer. At my local Waitrose, one of the checkouts is labelled "six (VI) items or fewer" :-)
John Briggs
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[nq:2]I happen to be one of those that still support ... word "ten" is itself uncountable? (1) With "people" being implied.[/nq]
[nq:1]I think I would still prefer fewer. At my local Waitrose, one of the checkouts is labelled "six (VI) items or fewer" :-)[/nq]
I think much depends on what you are actually counting. If the items form an amount or a time period, for instance, I believe "less
[nq:1]I think I would still prefer fewer. At my local Waitrose, one of the checkouts is labelled "six (VI) items or fewer" :-)[/nq]
I think much depends on what you are actually counting. If the items form an amount or a time period, for instance, I believe "less
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On Saturday, in article
[nq:2]However, it occurred to me today that "less than ten(1) ... Or is it that the word "ten" is itself uncountable?[/nq]
[nq:1]I think I would still prefer fewer. At my local Waitrose, one of the checkouts is labelled "six (VI) items or fewer" :-)[/nq]
Indeed, I have seen such notices. At first, I mentally applauded whomsoever had written them. However, o
[nq:2]However, it occurred to me today that "less than ten(1) ... Or is it that the word "ten" is itself uncountable?[/nq]
[nq:1]I think I would still prefer fewer. At my local Waitrose, one of the checkouts is labelled "six (VI) items or fewer" :-)[/nq]
Indeed, I have seen such notices. At first, I mentally applauded whomsoever had written them. However, o
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