Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site rtech.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!decvax!decwrl!pyramid!nsc!amdahl!rtech!jeff
From: jeff@rtech.UUCP (Jeff Lichtman)
Newsgroups: net.misc
Subject: Re: Is English decaying rapidly?
Message-ID: <730@rtech.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 6-Nov-85 03:22:53 EST
Article-I.D.: rtech.730
Posted: Wed Nov  6 03:22:53 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 8-Nov-85 20:24:41 EST
References: <1427@cae780.UUCP> <10600197@uiucdcs> <197@bnrmtv.UUCP> <1044@jhunix.UUCP> <185@opus.UUCP> <1588@utcsri.UUCP>
Organization: Relational Technology, Alameda CA
Lines: 17

> >The difference between "less" and "fewer" is that "less" refers to a
> >measure of a continuous quantity while "fewer" refers to a smaller number
> >of discrete objects.
>  
> Can you find a dictionary that agrees with you on this restriction on the
> use of "less"?  Mine doesn't.

Webster's 2nd Unabridged says, for its 3rd definition of "less":

3. Fewer;- now incorrect, according to strict usage, except with a collective;
   as, to wear less clothes.
-- 
Jeff Lichtman at rtech (Relational Technology, Inc.)
"Saints should always be judged guilty until they are proved innocent..."

{amdahl, sun}!rtech!jeff
{ucbvax, decvax}!mtxinu!rtech!jeff