Dear Members,
To help my students with their English, I have lots of Teaching Tips which I give them from time to time. A student suggested that I post them on ESLP, to help other students. You are free to use them, or not, as you wish.
I frequently hear students use phrases similar to: "I have less and less books, because my friends borrow them from me!"
In casual, informal conversation, the phrase, �less and less books�, is understood by everyone. It has an ancient history of use, and an excellent �pedigree�.
However, the phrase, �fewer and fewer books�, began to be used, many years later, simply because it was a particular writer�s personal preference. This modern form is now regarded as the CORRECT construction.
In my world, you are free to make your own choice.
But, I warn you ... the majority of English grammar books insist that the modern rule is CORRECT. Education Authorities expect all students to speak CORRECT English.
In a strict grammar examination, it would be wise to follow these modern rules.
Here are the rules:
1) �Fewer� is an Adjective which modifies a Noun that is PLURAL and COUNTABLE.
The description must be capable of being visualised in numbers: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc.
2) �Less� is an Adjective which modifies a Noun that is SINGULAR and UNCOUNTABLE.
The description must be capable of being visualised in amounts: litres, tonnes, metres, volts, seconds, etc.
Using this rule, we have:
1) "There are fewer books" ... you CAN say: "1 book, 2 books, 3 books". �books� is PLURAL and COUNTABLE ... �books� CAN be counted: 1, 2, 3.
2) "There is less information" ... you CANNOT say: "1 information, 2 informations, 3 informations." �information� is SINGULAR and UNCOUNTABLE ... �information� CANNOT be counted: 1, 2, 3.
3) "There are more books". "There is more information".
Here are my Silly Sentences, to help you remember the rules.
1) There are Fewer than Five COUNTY COUNCILLORS.
2) There is Less than a Litre of UNCOUNTABLE UNCONSCIOUSNESS.
3) There are more than Five COUNTY COUNCILLORS. There is more than a Litre of UNCOUNTABLE UNCONSCIOUSNESS.
I hope that this is of use to you.
Les Douglas
