|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2007 1:56 pm
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"?
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2007 2:52 pm
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. ._.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2007 2:56 pm
Hmm...I always thought it could be either or.
But I think that it would be "fewer than".
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2007 8:20 pm
 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2007 8:40 am
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2007 9:12 am
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2007 3:51 pm
I think it can go either way. 3nodding
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2007 5:30 pm
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."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jul 22, 2007 5:32 pm
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?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 9:29 am
I would use "less than", but I think either one could really be used.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2007 7:54 pm
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?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
