RRUGG
Newaygo, MI,USA
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A lot of people seem to have trouble choosing the right one. Less is actually misused more than fewer in my observation. Here are some correct uses:
less work, fewer hours
fewer hours, less money
If you had to make up a rule on how to use each, what would you tell people?
BTW, I'm NOT an English teacher and NEVER have been.
RRUGG
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Cloud Dancer
San Antonio and Livingston TX USA
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fewer dollars, less happiness
This works if they're materialistic.
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fchammer1
FL, PA & points in between
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Use "less" for a lesser AMOUNT;
Use "few" for a lesser NUMBER.
Less beer in the barrel will serve fewer people.
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Pokey2
Bel Marin Keys, CA
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From the on-line Free Dictionary:
“The traditional rule holds that fewer should be used for things that can be counted (fewer than four players), while less should be used with mass terms for things of measurable extent (less paper; less than a gallon of paint). However, less is used in some constructions where fewer would occur if the traditional rule were being followed. Less than can be used before a plural noun that denotes a measure of time, amount, or distance: less than three weeks; less than $400; less than 50 miles. Less is sometimes used with plural nouns in the expressions no less than (as in No less than 30 of his colleagues signed the letter) and or less (as in Give your reasons in 25 words or less).”
I guess I cheated , but I couldn’t think of a good rule.
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Engineer9860
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What I find odd is when the words affect, and effect are used in place of each other.
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WellShooter2
West Texas
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I've been seeing a lot of "worse case scenario" it's worst case dangit !
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Cloud Dancer
San Antonio and Livingston TX USA
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Mis-used words? I reed examples all the time.
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Crowe
Billerica, MA USA
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You have nothing better to do? Who cares!
Subscribe to the 3 "L" rule-don't stop livin', lovin' and learnin'
RV-less for now but our spirits are still on the open road.
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sonicsix
Jerry n' Cynthia
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[ ] Matters
[x] Doesn't Matter
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fchammer1
FL, PA & points in between
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Engineer9860 wrote:What I find odd is when the words affect, and effect are used in place of each other.
I agee; they affect me too and I don't like the effect!
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