Spot the flaws
【明報專訊】■Gear up
(Answer on next text)
Can you spot any errors in the conversation? Please circle them and make corrections.
■English highway
We use the quantifiers less and fewer to talk about quantities, amounts and degree. Less and fewer are comparative words. While students always mix up the usage of less and fewer in their writings and conversations.
We use less with uncountable nouns, such as news, time, knowledge and satisfaction. We use fewer with plural nouns, or countable nouns, such as cars, houses, cities and trees.
Example:
ˇ The less time you have, the more you need to prioritize what is important.
ˇ Fewer trees in our cities can lead to a range of negative impacts.
╳ The fewer time you have, the more you need to prioritize what is important.
╳ Less trees in our cities can lead to a range of negative impacts.
■Glossary
time-consuming (adj) 耗時的
improvement (n) 改善
greening (n) 綠化
beautify (v) 美化
(Criticisms on this publication, if any, are aimed at pointing out the errors or defects of certain systems or policies with a view to rectifying or eradicating such errors or defects, as well as prompting improvement or remedy for them via lawful means. There is absolutely no intention of inciting hatred, discontent or hostility towards the government or other classes of the community.)
[Smarties' Power English 第381期]
