LAURA FINEBERG COOPER
  • Home
  • EDITING
  • College Essays
  • Tutoring
    • Overview
    • Grades 6-8
    • Grades 9-12
    • Adults
  • Grammar Blog
  • Resume
SIGN UP HERE to receive A SPOONFUL OF GRAMMAR in your inbox!

Spoonful #27: LESS VS. FEWER

9/8/2019

3 Comments

 
Picture

​If you think LESS and FEWER mean the same thing, you're more or LESS correct. But they aren't inter-changeable! Why? I'll tell you as simply and sweetly as possible. It's a question of COUNTABILITY!

1) Use FEWER when you CAN count the nouns in question:
goats, dogs, balls, chairs, boxes, teachers, lamps, calories, spoons

2) Use LESS when you CAN'T count the nouns in question:
sand, milk, rice, gas, oatmeal, sugar, water, love, honesty

Do you notice another difference between the two lists? Noodle that question before you look at my answer!

My answer: the nouns in the FEWER list are all plural. The nouns in the LESS list are considered singular and never change form. 

So candy uses LESS and Hershey Kisses use FEWER, though you'll never catch me saying, "Please, give me FEWER Kisses!" However, it would be accurate for me to say, "I eat LESS candy now than I did in my youth."

What about "10 items or LESS?" I'm sure you've all seen a sign like that, as they appear in most grocery stores. 10 items are definitely countable, and the word "items" is plural as well. It seems pretty clear that "10 items or FEWER" would be more accurate. I concede, however, that "10 items or LESS" sounds better. You be the judge!

Thank you for reading and sharing "A Spoonful of Grammar." Tune in next Sunday for another tricky word pair. Or sign up to receive my posts directly in your inbox. 

Sincerely,
Laura Fineberg Cooper

3 Comments
Marianne Knowles
9/8/2019 10:28:07 pm

Definitely one of my favorite pet peeves! Wait...if it's a peeve, can it be favorite?

Reply
Marcia Strykowski link
9/10/2019 11:38:36 am

I thought I had it straight until that last bit about 10 items! Are both correct? :)

Reply
Laura Fineberg Cooper link
9/10/2019 12:16:38 pm

Dear Marcia,
Sorry to confuse you! That is CERTAINLY not my intent. To clarify, TEN ITEMS OR FEWER is grammatically correct, because the word ITEMS is plural and 10 items are countable. But to my ear, TEN ITEMS OR LESS sounds better. That's why I'm not on a crusade to change it!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Welcome to
    ​A Spoonful of Grammar!

    Swallowing too many grammar rules at once can be hazardous to one's health. That's why my goal is to deliver one spoonful at a time - in the most delightful way.
    ​

    Sincerely,
    Laura Fineberg Cooper

    Archives

    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019

    Categories

    All
    All Summaries
    Grammar
    Punctuation
    Recipes
    Story Elements
    Vocabulary

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • EDITING
  • College Essays
  • Tutoring
    • Overview
    • Grades 6-8
    • Grades 9-12
    • Adults
  • Grammar Blog
  • Resume