Jordan Wollman Creative Direction

This is most assuredly the largest of my many pet peeves: the improper usage of the words less and fewer.

Here’s a trick; if it ends in “S”, it’s not less. Or another trick; if you can count it, it’s not less.

Example 1) “I suddenly had less water in my glass than before.” Because the word “water” describes a volume, and cannot be counted, it is less.

Example 2) “When I looked up, there were fewer people than I remembered.” Here I am using a word that describes a collection, which can be counted, and therefore is fewer.

The reason I even bring something like this up so often — and those of you who know me know I do — is that it is a basic grammatical error. The proper usage does not require a degree in language, or the vast study of the Greek etymology of our wordage. It is most importantly the basis for simple eloquence.

It is the most basic adherence to the rules of English that polish your appearance to other intelligent members of the professional world, not the depth of your vocabulary or the speed in which you can recall useless facts.

Here’s the kicker; this is not just about this one rule. This applies to all aspects of your profession. Take the time to educate yourself, and most importantly, if you are ever corrected, make sure you verify the claim, and once you have, imprint this in your brain. Burn it in there so deeply that in your sleep you don’t slip up.

This is the surest path to sounding intelligent.