Common mistakes in spoken English! Less - Fewer

Ian Wilde

 

1.   Less - fewer

  

There are less people than yesterday. No! 

 

There are fewer people than yesterday. Yes!

 

She ate fewer than him the buffet. No!

 

She ate less than him at the buffet. Yes!

 

Less means a smaller amount or "not as much" and is used when describing a singular or unaccountable noun.

 

Fewer is defined as not as much and is used when describing a plural or accountable nouns.

 

 

2.   MeI

 

They gave it to him and I. No!

 

They gave it to him and me. Yes!

 

He and me all going out to eat. No!

 

He and I are going out to eat. Yes!

 

 

Me is an object pronoun.

 

I is a subject pronoun.

 

Remember this tip:  remove "him and".  Does the sentence still make sense?!

 

 

 

This column was published by the author in their personal capacity.
The opinions expressed in this column are the author's own and do not reflect the view of Cafetalk.

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