When to Use Less Versus Fewer: A Grammar Guide

Khan Academy

In this engaging grammar exploration, two narrators, David and Rosie, debate the rules surrounding the usage of "less" versus "fewer." While many people believe there is a strict rule separating the two, the video reveals a more nuanced reality involving count nouns and mass nouns. Rosie argues that while "fewer" is restricted to countable items, "less" has historically been used for both, challenging common grammar superstitions. The video dives into the technical definitions of count nouns (like grains of sand or hours) versus mass nouns (like sand or sun). Through clear examples written on a digital whiteboard, the narrators demonstrate how these noun types interact with the words less and fewer. The discussion highlights how native speakers naturally distinguish between these categories, even if they can't explicitly define them. Crucially, the lesson explores the historical origins of this grammar rule, tracing it back to a personal preference expressed by Robert Baker in 1770 rather than an inherent law of language. This historical context turns a dry grammar lesson into a fascinating discussion about how language evolves and how rules are made. It concludes with practical advice: while the strict rule might be arbitrary, adhering to it in formal writing remains a marker of "strictly proper" standard English.