3 ms·
I don't think that's quite right. For example, hours can be non-integer-valued (as in "three and a half hours"). The distinction is that "less" is used only f
by throwaway287391 9y ago
I don't think that's quite right. For example, hours can be non-integer-valued (as in "three and a half hours"). The distinction is that "less" is used only for mass nouns (e.g., "less water").
- a_e_k 9y agoTrue, but as a heuristic I it is safe to say that if you'd use integer units to represent a quantity then you should use "fewer" rather than "less". That tends to capture the majority of cases for using "fewer". Admittedly, the discrete but non-integer-valued cases are a bit more nuanced. (And yes, I do realize that the actual definition is in terms of mass vs. countable nouns.)
- SubiculumCode 9y agoOr is it a difference only of being singular or plural?
- RhysU 9y ago> mass vs. countable nouns Into which bucket do grammar folks place countable infinites?