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Pedants' corner

Pointless

1 reply

Adelino · 28/05/2018 19:47

I love this TV show, but I can't understand why they always use less rather than fewer.

Eg.
"You need to score 10 points or less."

It doesn't seem to be the sort of show which would get it wrong... So can somebody explain to me why it's right?

It is one of the grammar points which was drummed into me as a child.

OP posts:
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iklboo · 28/05/2018 19:50

It might be this:

Less is also used with numbers when they are on their own and with expressions of measurement or time, e.g.:
His weight fell from 18 stone to less than 12.
Their marriage lasted less than two years.
Heath Square is less than four miles away from Dublin city centre.

With 'points' being the measurement?

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