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Anonymous Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
Less with a plural -s morpheme?
Can less ever be paired with a plural such as hats? If, for example, you are watching a theatrical performance in which the actors are wearing spectacular hats, and suddenly, in the middle of the performance, the curtain comes down part of the way, obscuring some of all of the performers' hats. Would it be correct to say, "I see less of the hats now."?
Top answer
A) I see less of the hats now. B) I see fewer hats now. The first sentence refers to your vision or view and your ability to see the hats better or worse.
- A) I see less of the hats now.
- B) I see fewer hats now.
- The first sentence refers to your vision or view and your ability to see the hats better or worse.
- From one position you can see all the hats while from another position you can only see a few hats.
- So you see more or less of the hats depending on where you are positioned.
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4 Answers
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A) I see less of the hats now.
B) I see fewer hats now.
The first sentence refers to your vision or view and your ability to see the hats better or worse. From one position you can see all the hats while from another position you can only see a few hats. So you see more or less of the hats depending on where you are positioned.
The second sentences refers to the number o
B) I see fewer hats now.
The first sentence refers to your vision or view and your ability to see the hats better or worse. From one position you can see all the hats while from another position you can only see a few hats. So you see more or less of the hats depending on where you are positioned.
The second sentences refers to the number o
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less of the hats, yes, in that context, but less hats, no. fewer hats is the correct form if you don't have the of.
In fact, in the context of partially obscuring the view, I see fewer hats and I see less of the hatsmean two different things, which you seem to be quite aware of.
In fact, in the context of partially obscuring the view, I see fewer hats and I see less of the hatsmean two different things, which you seem to be quite aware of.
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CalifJimfewer hats is the correct form if you don't have the of.Correct me if I'm wrong but as far as I know, native speakers do say things like "less hats". Sure it's not textbook English but neither is "My sister and melike English".
CJ
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Oh, yes. That's true. Native speakers seem to be dropping the word fewer from the language, consistently using less instead. I hear that all the time. Does it bother me? Not really. Only slightly.
CJ
CJ
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