"Less" and "Fewer," Does It Matter?

[Mr.Pink]

English is the worst Language with needless complexity.

 

[jpmcwjr]

The complexity is what makes it good. The rules of grammar are not rocket science.

 

[anotherbob]

No, it's not.

with someone named Cosmic trust me it is.

 

[mawnansmiff]

I was just watching the UK snooker championships on TV and one commentator said "John Higgins almost never misses this type of shot"

Almost never? It's either never or it isn't. "Rarely misses this type of shot" would be what he should have said.

Another gripe is "an old adage says......" . An adage is old by its very nature. It's rather akin to saying "an old elderly person", just plain poor usage.

Time for bed chaps, it's been a long day, night night.

Regards,

Jay.

 

[jpmcwjr]

I have no problem with "almost never" Probably say it myself, but it's hard to know as there's no transcript of my speech!

"The general consensus of opinion" s.b, simply "consensus"

 

[rajangan]

Sorry, I'm late to the thread. Page 5!

I thought it was less for singular nouns, and for adjectives and adverbs. Less gas, less stinky, & less quickly

And fewer for plural nouns. Fewer gasses, fewer stinks

 

[rajangan]

I'm with you. My relatives in Ulster all use "haitch". The dumbing down of standards does no one any good.

They use haitch in Newfoundland.

 

[rajangan]

Don't get me started on "literally".

Merriam Webster :
2: in effect : VIRTUALLY —used in an exaggerated way to emphasize a statement or description that is not literally true or possible

 

[rajangan]