Fewer vs Less

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Brian {Hamilton Kelly} - 04 Dec 2004 18:36 GMT

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.

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Brian {Hamilton Kelly} bhk@dsl.co.uk
"I don't use Linux. I prefer to use an OS supported by a large multi-
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software and decent hardware support."

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John Briggs - 04 Dec 2004 23:10 GMT

> I happen to be one of those that still support the old [fine]
> distinction between the usage of "less" and "fewer", with the former
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>
> [1] With "people" being implied.

I think I would still prefer fewer. At my local Waitrose, one of the
checkouts is labelled "six (VI) items or fewer" :-)

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John Briggs

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Enrico C - 05 Dec 2004 00:34 GMT

>> I happen to be one of those that still support the old [fine]
>> distinction between the usage of "less" and "fewer", with the former
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
>I think I would still prefer fewer. At my local Waitrose, one of the
>checkouts is labelled "six (VI) items or fewer" :-)

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" is less wrong :)
Am I wrong?

"Less than twenty years."
"Less than two hundred dollars."

and, perhaps,
"Less than a dozen".
I am not sure on this last sentence, though.

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Enrico C /no native speaker/

Reply to: enrico /dot/ c /at\ people \dot\ it

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Brian {Hamilton Kelly} - 06 Dec 2004 01:29 GMT

On Saturday, in article
<etrsd.210$8v3.120@newsfe5-gui.ntli.net>

> > However, it occurred to me today that "less than ten[1] answered
> > affirmatively" doesn't seem so stridently wrong; could this be because
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> I think I would still prefer fewer. At my local Waitrose, one of the
> checkouts is labelled "six (VI) items or fewer" :-)

Indeed, I have seen such notices. At first, I mentally applauded
whomsoever had written them. However, on reflection, I suspect that the
author may be guilty of hypercorrection.

Certainly I wouldn't quibble with "Less than six items"; I'm sure it must
have something to do with the mention of a numerical limit. OTOH, the
alternative to your example "Six items or less" is indeed wrong.

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Discussion Groups / British English / December 2004

Fewer vs Less