Frequently Asked Questions
Grammar
When should I use 'less', and when should I use 'fewer'? |
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Less means 'not as much'. Fewer means 'not as many'.
A shower takes less water than a bath, so take fewer baths and more showers.
This can be tricky when referring to quantities. For example, we say less
than six weeks, not fewer than six weeks, because we are not referring
to six individual weeks, but to a single period of time lasting six weeks.
However, it is always strictly incorrect to refer to less people. People
are individuals and come in numbers, not in amounts.
Other questions in this section:How do I know when to put an apostrophe in it's?
If someone is doing a master's degree in the arts is it an MA or a MA?
In the sentence 'It is raining' what is 'it'?
Is 'agenda' singular or plural?
Is 'data' singular or plural?
Is it acceptable to use 'they' instead of 'he' or 'she'?
Should I use a singular or a plural verb with collective nouns such as 'government', 'committee', and 'family'?
Should I write 'a number of people is' or 'a number of people are'?
What are the plurals of 'octopus', 'hippopotamus', 'syllabus'?
What is a split infinitive, and why should I avoid using one?
What is the word for 'the whole is greater than the sum of the parts'?
When should I use 'less', and when should I use 'fewer'?
Which is correct: 'a hotel' or 'an hotel'?
Which is correct: 'a person was laid on the table' or 'a person was lain on the table'?
Which is correct: 'my friend and me' or 'my friend and I'?
Which is the correct spelling: 'oriented' or 'orientated'?
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