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ChairmanMeow Posted 19 years ago
Grammar
Less than 20 words
In the book, 'Discover Grammar' by David Crystal the following sentence is present on p.22:
Most of the sentences in this book are less than 20 words in length.
Why isn't it:
Most of the sentences in this book are fewer than 20 words in length.
Word is a countable noun so I thought fewer applied. I know it's 20 words or fewer rather than 20 words or less. Is it due to the fact that 'less than' appears before the noun?
CM.
Most of the sentences in this book are less than 20 words in length.
Why isn't it:
Most of the sentences in this book are fewer than 20 words in length.
Word is a countable noun so I thought fewer applied. I know it's 20 words or fewer rather than 20 words or less. Is it due to the fact that 'less than' appears before the noun?
CM.
Top answer
My immediate reaction is "Ask the author"! He is the only person who can properly answer.
- My immediate reaction is "Ask the author"!
- He is the only person who can properly answer.
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13 Answers
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My immediate reaction is "Ask the author"! He is the only person who can properly answer.
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ChairmanMeowHi CM,
Do you think the fewer version is OK?
CM.
We had the “less” and “fewer” discussion a while back. Typically, “less” is associated with non-countable and “fewer” with countable. However, it’s not always the case.
In supermarkets (at least in the ) we always see the expre
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I am a native speaker!
I am going through various books on grammar to belatedly teach me the rules of grammar that should have been taught to me in school. I suppose, as I am going through this process, I am more inclined to lean towards 'standard English' rather than colloquial English. Just because everyone uses less rather than fewer (through ignorance) doesn't mean that it is correct
I am going through various books on grammar to belatedly teach me the rules of grammar that should have been taught to me in school. I suppose, as I am going through this process, I am more inclined to lean towards 'standard English' rather than colloquial English. Just because everyone uses less rather than fewer (through ignorance) doesn't mean that it is correct
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Hello Chairman,
1. Most of the sentences in this book are less than 20 words in length.
With measurements, the idiomatic usage seems to be "less than". Cf.
2. Most of the insects are less than 5cm in length.
3. Most of the concerts are less than 90 minutes in length.
As opposed to:
4. ?Most of the insects are fewer than 5cm in length.
1. Most of the sentences in this book are less than 20 words in length.
With measurements, the idiomatic usage seems to be "less than". Cf.
2. Most of the insects are less than 5cm in length.
3. Most of the concerts are less than 90 minutes in length.
As opposed to:
4. ?Most of the insects are fewer than 5cm in length.
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ChairmanMeowI am a native speaker!
I am going through various books on grammar to belatedly teach me the rules of grammar that should have been taught to me in school. I suppose, as I am going through this process, I am more inclined to lean towards 'standard English' rather than colloquial English. Just because everyone uses less rather than fewer (through ignor
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MrP,
Thank you very much indeed.
In this case, by the use of length, it becomes a (sort of) measurement. That explains why it is not fewer.
My next question is: What does 'conglomerative wholes' mean?
I've just done a search on this site and the only occurrence is this thread!
CM.
Thank you very much indeed.
In this case, by the use of length, it becomes a (sort of) measurement. That explains why it is not fewer.
My next question is: What does 'conglomerative wholes' mean?
I've just done a search on this site and the only occurrence is this thread!
CM.
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ChairmanMeowMy next question is: What does 'conglomerative wholes' mean?Little things stuck together to make one bigger thing.
The notion is much on my mind at present. Or rather, my stomach. I had a bad basmati experience this evening. It too was a conglomerative whole.
MrP
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Hi,
I read somewhere that "or less" and "less than" are idiomatic. They actually sound better to me...
I think I've also read that "less" is also used instead of "fewer" in other cases too, and that some native speakers usually use "less" regardless of.... everything. I used too many words in my post, I should have used less words... <---
I like "less" more than "fewer"...
I read somewhere that "or less" and "less than" are idiomatic. They actually sound better to me...
I think I've also read that "less" is also used instead of "fewer" in other cases too, and that some native speakers usually use "less" regardless of.... everything. I used too many words in my post, I should have used less words... <---
I like "less" more than "fewer"...
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Goodman,
No, I'm not Chinese! I'm British but I must admit that I stole the idea for my username from an English 'so called' comic who called his cat Chairman Meow. As that was the only funny thing that he had ever said I decided to steal it!
I am one of many thousands of people in the UK who were educated in the comprehensive system of the 70s and 80s where formal grammar was fr
No, I'm not Chinese! I'm British but I must admit that I stole the idea for my username from an English 'so called' comic who called his cat Chairman Meow. As that was the only funny thing that he had ever said I decided to steal it!
I am one of many thousands of people in the UK who were educated in the comprehensive system of the 70s and 80s where formal grammar was fr
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