My grammar teacher's stumped...

[Zealot of Insanity]

I have a SAT question that came up.

After weeks of preparation, staff members were disappointed to see that less than half of the employees had went to the presentation.

My question is, should it be "less than" or "fewer than"?  

[Organic Shadows]

It would be fewer than, because the employees are countable. Less than would be for liquid or something. "There was less than 1/3 cup left in the bowl" or something. Sorry that was a crappy example. ._.  

[Patron with a Mission]

Hmm...I always thought it could be either or.

But I think that it would be "fewer than".  

[Emilem]

I had always thought that it could go either way.
If that's not the case, then I have no idea.

~~Hey, th` name's Cressy.

 

[l3viathan]

I always thought that it could go either way, unlike "too much" and "too many", but I guess it's very much like that, so I agree with 'Organic Shadows' shadows on this.  

[Zealot of Insanity]

My grammar teacher believes it's because mathematics has always dealt with "less than" and "greater than", and that "half" could be translated into a number.  

[iJazzy]

I think it can go either way. 3nodding  

[TheStoof]

Zealot of Insanity

I have a SAT question that came up.

After weeks of preparation, staff members were disappointed to see that less than half of the employees had went to the presentation.

My question is, should it be "less than" or "fewer than"?

Less than is usually an approximation, whereas fewer than is finite.

Does anyone recall the "20 items or less" sign at Wal-Mart? I do. It should be "fewer."  

[TheStoof]

l3viathan

I always thought that it could go either way, unlike "too much" and "too many", but I guess it's very much like that, so I agree with 'Organic Shadows' shadows on this.

...too many refers to something you can count and too much refers to, as I said before, an approximation. You have too many soda cans or you have too much soda cans? Eh. Sounds icky. Another example: you have too much toothpaste on your toothbrush or you have too many toothpaste on your toothbrush?  

[Shigures Editor]

I would use "less than", but I think either one could really be used.

 

[Zealot of Insanity]

I have some questions that came up in a grammar quiz, and I'd appreciate it if I could get some explanations.

When is it appropriate to use "which" and when is it appropriate to use "that"?

The puppy __________ is without a home has just been sold.

(a) which
(b) , which
(c) , that
(d) that
(e) who

The answer's (d), but my friend wanted to know why it couldn't be "which", although we both know it can't be "who".



__________ we go to the store, or __________ you?

(a) Shall, shall
(b) Shall, will
(c) Will, shall
(d) Should, shall
(e) Will, would

I also know that this one is (b) (because it just sounds correct), but could anyone please explain why?