Comments on: Fewer vs. Less

By: Jane

Jane — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 23:12:26 +0000

We educate fewer than 50% of the children.

By: Lil

Lil — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 18:12:57 +0000

Is it correct to say:

We educate less than 50% of the children.

We educate fewer than 50% of the children.

By: Jane

Jane — Sat, 14 May 2011 20:13:32 +0000

This is a very good question and the answer seems to be open to interpretation. If you go by the traditional rule that holds that fewer is used with expressions denoting things that can be counted (even though it would be a challenge to count every “thing” that one has to do), then you would use fewer. However, in this case, the “thing” that is being counted is singular. Even though fewer is correct for countable things, it is awkward when that quantity is one. This is where the debate comes in. You may find the following links interesting. The first one is a Q&A from the Chicago Manual of Style and the second is a lively discussion from a linguisitc blog. In my opinion, I prefer the sound of either “I have fewer things to worry about” or “I have one less thing to worry about.”

http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/CMS_FAQ/LessorFewer/LessorFewer01.html

http://literalminded.wordpress.com/2005/04/05/when-less-is-fewer/

By: Deem

Deem — Fri, 13 May 2011 17:07:04 +0000

Got into an argument today with a friend when I said “one less thing to worry about.” She said, I have to use “fewer” because “thing” is countable. I said, you need two or more (i.e., plural form) for “fewer” to be used.

Who’s right?

By: Jane

Jane — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 19:59:07 +0000

You will find different opinions on this subject. For example, Chicago Manual of Style advises spelling out whole numbers from zero through one hundred and certain round multiples of those numbers. There are numerous exceptions to the rule. The important thing is to be consistent.

By: Ivan

Ivan — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 03:58:01 +0000

Well, at least in publishing, numbers ten and under should be written in letters, and anything above may be written as numbers. Just one of the niceties of style. The style police will not get you if you decide not to observe this rule in your e-mails.

As a foreign-born, I enjoy the discussion of the finer points of the English language and, there being no Academy as in France, our discussions are destined to go on forever.

By: Jane

Jane — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 16:37:01 +0000

What is the sentence? If referring to different things, “eight’ would normally be written out and “30″ would be in numerical form. If referring to the same thing, then you are right that I should have used numbers or wording for both.

By: josh

josh — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 11:40:06 +0000

hey on your pop quiz your not consistent with your spelling of numbers!! you say “eight” then you say “30″ haha just thought i’d point that out…

By: Jane

Jane — Wed, 09 May 2007 01:22:07 +0000

“A few less” is not a correct substitute for “fewer.” However, as we know, advertisers care little about grammar, even when the last name of their spokesperson is an almost match (Kelsey Grammer).

By: Josh

Josh — Tue, 08 May 2007 01:02:47 +0000

So what about “a few less”? I was watching a Hyundai ad that referred to the number of cup holders in the Santa Fe compared to a Land Rover, and Kelsey Grammar’s voice over mentioned “$13,000 less… and a few less cup holders.” Is “few less” a grammatically correct substitute for “fewer”?