A Nice example of Less and Few
There was far less interrupting, angry cross-talk and fewer personal attacks than in the presidential debate.
https://www.npr.org/2020/10/08/921323806/4-takeaways-from-the-mike-pence-kamala-harris-vice-presidential-debate
From an NPR summary of the vice presidential debate.
- Note that “cross-talk,” the word that goes with “less” is singular.
- And the word that “fewer” refers to, “attacks,” is plural.
That’s how you do it, folks.
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Few and Less for the Same Thing!
Normally we say that you use “few” for things you count, and “less” for things you measure. See the last two panels.
The clue that he’s counting emissions is that he used the plural. Plural can mean you’re counting even if you’re not.
Hmm. Fewer or Less?
“Less calories”? That can’t be right, can it? We count calories! Ah, but look at the whole sentence.
We measure sugar! The list of those two items allows us to go with the second item.
Well, technically, perhaps, he should have said “33% fewer calories and 33% less sugar,” but I don’t see that happening, except maybe in technical writing.
Yay! A Correct “Fewer”
Another of my hobby horses. This grocery store gets it right. Fewer, not less.
What does your grocery store say???
(FYI, my grocery store says “about 15 items.”)
Another “Fewer/Less” Lesson
Remember:
- When you’re counting, use “fewer.”
- When you’re measuring, use “less.”
Unlike this writer (or editor; I’m not sure whom to blame).
After her death, she was exhumed no less than three times and found to be perfectly intact at each, which makes it seem strange that the lovely face and hands that are so famous are actually made of wax.
https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/not-quite-incorruptible-st-bernadette-lourdes
Do a search for less or fewer in the upper right corner to find semi-exceptions to this rule.
Here’s a picture: