'Less' versus 'fewer.' Fun names for fingers. Scunscreen.

'Less' versus 'fewer.' Fun names for fingers. Scunscreen.

937. Today, we explore the traditional advice of using "fewer" for things you can count and "less" for things you can't, but you'll also learn about the idea of using "less" for singular nouns and "fewer" for plural nouns and how that solves the problem of common exceptions such as time, money, and distance. You'll also learn how to handle the controversial phrases "one less" and "10 items or less."

And have you ever wondered why our thumb is called a thumb? Or why the "rule of thumb" is so controversial? We look at the origins of these terms and more, and also touch on the many interesting names for fingers in various languages.

Th "fingers" segment was written by Susan Herman, a retired multidisciplined language analyst, analytic editor, and instructor for the U.S. Government.

| Transcript: https://grammar-girl.simplecast.com/episodes/less-fewer/transcript

| Subscribe to the newsletter for regular updates.

| Watch my LinkedIn Learning writing courses.

| Peeve Wars card game.

| Grammar Girl books.

| HOST: Mignon Fogarty

| VOICEMAIL: 833-214-GIRL (833-214-4475) or https://sayhi.chat/grammargirl

| Grammar Girl is part of the Quick and Dirty Tips podcast network.

  • Audio Engineer: Nathan Semes
  • Director of Podcasts: Adam Cecil
  • Advertising Operations Specialist: Morgan Christianson
  • Marketing Associate: Davina Tomlin
  • Digital Operations Specialist: Holly Hutchings

| Theme music by Catherine Rannus.

| Grammar Girl Social Media Links: YouTube. TikTok. Facebook. Instagram. LinkedIn. Mastodon.


Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jaksot(965)

178 Do Rhetorical Questions Need a Question Mark?

178 Do Rhetorical Questions Need a Question Mark?

Do Rhetorical Questions Need a Question Mark? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

10 Heinä 20094min

174 "Myself"

174 "Myself"

"Myself" Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

12 Kesä 20095min

172 "All Right" Versus "Alright"

172 "All Right" Versus "Alright"

"All Right" Versus "Alright" Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

29 Touko 20094min

170 Swear Words in Text

170 Swear Words in Text

Swear Words in Text Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

15 Touko 20096min

169 Using “For” to Mean “Because”

169 Using “For” to Mean “Because”

Using “For” to Mean “Because” Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

9 Touko 20095min

168 Troublesome Contractions (e.g., I'd've)

168 Troublesome Contractions (e.g., I'd've)

Troublesome Contractions (e.g., I'd've) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

1 Touko 20095min

167 Dashes Versus Colons

167 Dashes Versus Colons

Dashes Versus Colons Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

23 Huhti 20094min

166 Strunk and White

166 Strunk and White

Strunk and White Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

17 Huhti 20095min

Suosittua kategoriassa Koulutus

rss-murhan-anatomia
voi-hyvin-meditaatiot-2
psykopodiaa-podcast
rss-vegaaneista-tykkaan
rss-valo-minussa-2
leikitaanko-laakaria
aamukahvilla
psykologia
jari-sarasvuo-podcast
rss-duodecim-lehti
rss-narsisti
koulu-podcast-2
adhd-podi
aloita-meditaatio
ihminen-tavattavissa-tommy-hellsten-instituutti
rss-tripsteri
queen-talk
rss-niinku-asia-on
rss-psykalab
rss-naiseuden-helmoissa-tiipiituokioita-marikan-kanssa