An Exception to the Measuring/Counting Rule

When we compare things that we count, we say “fewer” and “number,” and when we measure them, we use “less” and “amount.” But what if the things are countable but you can’t count them?

Technically, potato chips are countable, so “number” would be appropriate.

But you’re not going to open the bag and count the chips, so maybe you can get away with using “amount.” But curmudgeon that I am, I’d be inclined to say “number of chips.”

What do you think?

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The rule is to use “fewer” when you’re counting something and “less” when you’re measuring something. But two things can go either way: time and distance. Usually we use “less” for both, but you can use “fewer” even though it sounds a bit funny.

The moon will be new fewer than 9 hours after the June 20 solstice.

https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/annular-solar-eclipse-on-june-21-2020

Of course we gotta have a picture. Here’s one from 2013:

But the sentence made it into this post because it contains a common, small error. Do you see it?

Nonetheless, it’s an interesting sentence. And an interesting article.

In a Weatherwise article on Humboldt, Stephen Vermette noted that Alexander took with him no less than 42 instruments ranging from “navigation and surveying to a microscope to observe small detail and to identify species, and instruments to measure magnetism”. His cache included two mercurial barometers, several thermometers, a rain gauge, two hygrometers to measure humidity, a cyanometer to measure the blue color of the sky, a hypsometer which determines the temperature at which water boils at different altitudes and a eudiometer to measure the volume of gases.

https://www.wunderground.com/cat6/alexander-von-humboldt-scientist-extraordinaire

Okay, it’s two sentences. Gotta get them both for the vocabulary lesson. And you saw the goof, right? If you didn’t, look up “fewer” and “less” in the search box.

Oh yes; a picture from the article:

I just ran into a sentence with a similar error: He should have used “number” instead of “amount.” He’s counting, not measuring.

 After a wayward bee inspired a yearslong obsession, he painted a mural in Florida and made it his goal to paint 50,000 bees: the amount of insects that make up a healthy, thriving hive.

Remember the rule: use fewer when you’re counting, and less when you’re measuring. You count how many kids you have, right? Should be fewer

Of course, some things can go either way, such as time. You can count hours, for example (Since I retired, I work far fewer hours than I used to.), but you can also measure the time using units such as hours (I spent less time at work today than I usually do.).

So pay attention to what you’re writing!

This post first appeared on The Writing Rag.

The rule is (Okay, maybe I should say “the rules are.)

• Use “less” when you’re measuring
• Use “fewer” when you’re counting.

Warning: pay attention to the context!

This sentence looks okay, right?

Astronomers have detected less than half of the estimated 25,000 near-Earth objects thought to be 459 feet in size or greater.

https://www.axios.com/newsletters/axios-space-0c3f02e5-1453-4f8c-b9fa-6dd90db64456.html

“Less than half” feels correct, doesn’t it? That’s because with fractions, usually you’re measuring. But this sentence is counting asteroids, so it should say “fewer.”

When you write, be alert! Pay attention! Here’s a picture of an asteroid so you have something besides text to look at. Thanks, NASA.

This post first appeared on The Writing Rag.