LPT - Don't know if it's less or fewer? 'Fewer' is a more precise word than "less". Say the sentence in your head, and try "fewer" first. Generally speaking, if that word fits, it is correct.

Submitted by RPoliticsModsFU t3_11ejntv in LifeProTips

"Less" is a more adaptable word, making the correct usage less obvious to untrained ears. But "fewer" has a more precise wording requirement that its misuse is more recognizable.

I have less money than he does.

She has fewer dollars than me.

But the inverse is more dramatically wrong for "fewer" than it is for "less."

I have fewer money than he does.

She has less dollars than me.

"Less is still wrong, but it is less wrong than "fewer."

This is how I learned to pinpoint the context for when to apply which word.

(Edit) I know how the rule works. The point was to have a different way of thinking about it. There are no instances where the usage of "fewer" is ambiguous. It is either correct or blatantly incorrect.

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slarti54 t1_jaef4e3 wrote

That wasn't a great way to explain it. Fewer is mainly used with countable nouns.

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HipHopPotatoMouse t1_jaep3qi wrote

Yes and therefore the example in the OP is wrong: It should have been "less money" and "fewer dollars."

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3knuckles t1_jaefx9w wrote

Some water. Less water. 10 things. Fewer things.

This is the pattern, but it's not always followed.

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RPoliticsModsFU OP t1_jaeg7zy wrote

fewer water and less things. One of those grates on my nerves, and the other is slightly annoying.

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3knuckles t1_jaeh5tt wrote

You can't have fewer of something that can't be counted. You can't have one sand or ten water. So for those you have to say less. If you can count it, then you should say fewer rather than less.

Teaching kids this stuff isn't a priority so many people never learn the rules.

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TrainDriverDave t1_jaem49h wrote

I suggest you delete and then resubmit this LPT using the simple, precise, and correct rule: "Fewer" is used with countable items, "less" is used with uncountable quantities.

Examples:

Less sand, but fewer grains of sand.

Less stupid, but fewer idiots.

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keepthetips t1_jaee2r8 wrote

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bex021 t1_jael9q5 wrote

Fewer for things you can physically count...less for things you don't. Examples: Fewer coins, less money. Fewer cups of water, less water. Fewer mistakes, less confusion...

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