less v/s fewer

Question

case 1. The number of petals left on the rose is  less/ fewer  than 5.
case 2. There are  less/ fewer  than 5 petals left on the rose.

Should it be less or fewer. Do explain in each case.

kripalkavi · Answer

I think it should be 'fewer' in both cases.
The number of petals can be counted, so 'fewer'.
PR does a very good job with this. 

Countable: number, fewer/many 
eg. I have many $10 notes. ( number  of notes can be counted)

Not-countable: amount, less/much(or more)
eg. I have more money than $10. ( amount  of money cannot be counted)

MA466 · Answer

I agree. You can count petals. You will use fewer when you can count.

For example: I have less hair than i had before(not countable)
 There are few students in the class(Countable)

MA466

selene · Answer

1st statement should be "less" and the 2nd statement should be "fewer"

In the first one we are talking about "the number" and be careful, the verb is "is" !!

In the second one we are talking about the petals. Petal is a countable noun. So we should use "fewer".

SunShine · Answer

The number  of petals left on the rose is  less/ fewer  than 5.


rephrasing this : number ....... is less/fewer than 5?

I think less than 5



Fewer .... countable (5)...

gmatacer · Answer

Yeah even I have never heard anyone commenting after I finish writing my program "MAKE SURE YOU HAVE FEWER BUGS IN YOUR CODE!

"

sumitsingh · Answer

i think it shud be fewer in both cases as no of petals can be counted

but this is the case generally when specific no. (5) is not mentioned 

eg. You can eat fewer cookies


some one plz explain

buzzgaurav · Answer

I agree with selene. Fewer is right only for second statement.

less v/s fewer

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