Fewer vs Less - Merriam-Webster Ask the Editor

Emily Brewster, an Associate Editor at Merriam-Webster, explains the correct usage of fewer and less. For more videos, visit http://www.merriam-webster.com/video/asktheeditor.htm.

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Education

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• Emily Brewster
• Ask the Editor
• webster's
• dictionary
• Webster
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• instructional video
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[marlonguitarist]

I love Emily's explanations. She is so knowledgeable and truth be said, a very attractive intellectual. Great video.

[plushoo]

I love that the top two comments both have errors: "truth be said" instead of "truth be told", and "here" instead of "hear".

[thekkl]

@plushoo What's wrong with truth be said?

[ummerrahh]

In grammar, the tail wags the dog.

[luminorguy]

Emily, you can correct my grammar any day of the week! Beautiful lady, wonderful voice, and a highly intelligent mind; the trifecta of killer combos! : D

[jstuart22]

emily is so pretty



[pegasusgiraffe]

@roguenation just like Athena, the brainiest of the Olympians

[KeithGYu]

does this also apply to more than v. over?

[BomberAl123]

If I say how attractive, smart and fun the presenter is, like the other two guys did, will my comment be posted? ;-)

[BomberAl123]

I'm not sure how they teach this in the States, but an easy way to remember the distinction is the following:

Fewer is used for discrete variables, and less for continuous variables and those variables perceived as continuous.

For example: 'I have fewer pound coins than you' vs. 'I have less money than you'.

Time and distance are clearly continuous, and money (although a cent is the smallest unit) and statistical enumerations (you can't divide people or words) are perceived as continuous.

[roguenation]

It seems fitting that Emily Brewster's video appears when one looks up the following:

god·dess noun

Definition of GODDESS

1: a female god

2: a woman whose great charm or beauty arouses adoration