In English grammar, the use of ‘less’ and ‘fewer’ often confuses learners, especially when it comes to modifying nouns. A common question arises from the sentence: ‘Humans are consuming less resources than the planet can sustain.’ The confusion stems from the fact that ‘resources’ is a plural countable noun, and traditionally, ‘fewer’ is used with countable nouns. So, why is ‘less’ used here instead of ‘fewer’? This article will explore this issue in detail.
1. The Difference Between ‘Less’ and ‘Fewer’
First, let’s clarify the difference between ‘less’ and ‘fewer.’ ‘Fewer’ is used with countable nouns (e.g., books, apples, cars), while ‘less’ is used with uncountable nouns (e.g., water, air, money). However, there are exceptions, and this is where things get a bit more complicated.
In casual and even formal usage, ‘less’ can be used with plural countable nouns in certain contexts, especially when talking about abstract quantities or general concepts. This is why ‘less resources’ is sometimes considered acceptable in specific sentences, even though it might feel counterintuitive at first glance.
2. ‘Less’ as a Modifier for ‘Resources’
In the sentence ‘Humans are consuming less resources than the planet can sustain,’ ‘less’ is modifying the concept of ‘resources’ rather than the individual countable items. When we talk about ‘resources’ in this context, it refers to the overall idea or quantity of resources, rather than specific, countable resources like individual units of energy or material. Thus, the use of ‘less’ can be considered appropriate, as it refers to a smaller amount or degree of resources.
This usage of ‘less’ with plural countable nouns, especially in terms like ‘less work’ or ‘less time,’ is common in English when referring to abstract quantities. It’s about focusing on the overall concept rather than individual countable items.
3. The Rule of Thumb: When to Use ‘Less’ and When to Use ‘Fewer’
As a general rule, when you’re talking about countable items, you should use ‘fewer,’ as in ‘fewer apples,’ ‘fewer books,’ or ‘fewer cars.’ However, when you’re discussing a general concept, quantity, or abstract measurement, ‘less’ is often used, even with plural nouns like ‘resources’ or ‘work.’
For example, ‘less time’ refers to the concept of time as a whole, rather than individual units of time. Similarly, ‘less water’ refers to a lesser amount of water, not individual drops of water.
4. When Grammar Exceptions Occur: The Role of Context
Language is dynamic, and English grammar is no exception to the rule of evolution. The usage of ‘less’ with plural countable nouns like ‘resources’ has become more accepted, especially when the noun is being discussed in an abstract sense. The context plays a critical role in deciding whether ‘less’ or ‘fewer’ should be used.
In the example sentence, ‘less resources’ is used because the speaker is talking about the concept of resources in general, rather than referring to individual, countable resources. Therefore, while ‘fewer’ might seem like the more grammatically appropriate choice at first, ‘less’ works well here due to the broader, abstract sense of the noun.
5. Conclusion: The Flexibility of English Grammar
In conclusion, the use of ‘less’ with plural nouns like ‘resources’ is not incorrect in certain contexts, especially when discussing general concepts or quantities. While ‘fewer’ is traditionally used with countable nouns, language evolves, and the rules can be more flexible than they seem at first glance. In the sentence ‘Humans are consuming less resources than the planet can sustain,’ ‘less’ is acceptable because it refers to the abstract idea of resources rather than individual items. Understanding when to use ‘less’ and when to use ‘fewer’ comes down to recognizing these nuanced contexts and exceptions in English grammar.
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