less/fewer

[GUEST2008]

Hi

He received much/many/a lot less/fewer points than me.

Which is the most correct choice?

[PROESL]

Originally Posted by GUEST2008

Hi

He received much/many/a lot less/fewer points than me.

Which is the most correct choice?

It is correct to use "fewer". It's common enough to hear "less" in place of "fewer". However, I believe in using "few" or "fewer" where it's correct.

Use "fewer" before countable nouns.

Use "less" before uncountable nouns.

This is common in American Supermarkets:

This register is for twelve items or less.

So using "less" for countable items seems to be well established. However, clearly understanding the difference between the two, I prefer to use each word correctly. It's logical.

[GUEST2008]

Hi

So it's correct to say: He received much fewer points than me.
Buy I suppose saying that "He received many fewer points than me" is not correct (although "many" refers to countable nouns)?

cheers

[PROESL]

Originally Posted by GUEST2008

Hi

So it's correct to say: He received much fewer points than me.
Buy I suppose saying that "He received many fewer points than me" is not correct (although "many" refers to countable nouns)?

cheers

In this case, "many" would be correct. However, using "many" to modify "fewer points" sounds rather awkward to me and not like the most natural phrase.

I would use one of these:

I got many more points than him.
I received many more points than he did.
He didn't receive nearly as many points as I did.
He didn't get nearly as many points as me.

In these sentences, the verbs "get" and "receive" are interchangeable.

[GUEST2008]

So it would be better to just say: He received fewer points than me (excluding "many" "much" and "a lot").

[PROESL]

Originally Posted by GUEST2008

So it would be better to just say: He received fewer points than me (excluding "many" "much" and "a lot").

Yes, I think that's better.