Less than /fewer than (percent)

AnonymousMerriam Webster and ManMillan dictionaries seem to give conflicting answers...

I'm not surprised. This is an ongoing argument/problem among native speakers.

See

Oddly enough, I'd use Less than 5%, but Fewer than 20. I suppose that's a conflicting answer, too.

CJ

Hi

'people' is a count noun, in that it can be modified by a number (20) so 'fewer' is correct, as in 20 items or fewer

So by that logic, it's not the expression of 'percentage' that determines the use of 'fewer' or 'less', because the percentage is the modifier (a number expressed as a percentage) not the noun.

So therefore, fewer than 5% of people were... is correct.

Sorry, 'people' is not a count noun, as you cannot have 'a people' or 'one people' (in the singular form)

So, because 'people' is a mass noun (or non count noun) it should be, less than 5% of people were..., and fewer than 5% of girls were... ('girls' is a count noun)

AnonymousSorry, 'people' is not a count noun

Nah, "people" is a count noun. It's the plural of "person."

I don't know which Anon I am addressing to but "people" is countable. In actual usage and everyday life, the rules about "less than " and " fewer than" don't really apply exactly as taught by the book, at least in this part of the US. The actual usage is more idiomatic and grammar. If you go shoping at Walmart, or Target, or any national grocery chain stores, you will find this sign: 10 items

People is not a mass noun. It's the plural of person. As far as quantity goes, there a difference between people and persons? No.

anonymousHi,
Which is correct?
Less than 5% of people were...
Fewer than 5% of people were...
Which is correct?
Less than 20 people were...
Fewer than 20 people were...
Merriam Webster and ManMillan dictionaries seem to give conflicting answers...
Thank you!