Alienvoord  +  514184 Thu, 15 May 08 09:51 PM   less has been used with count nouns for 1000 years. The prescription against this usage has no foundation. Examples from Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of English Usage. Alienvoord Joined on Tue, Jul 25 2006 Toronto Full Member 345 Nouns

	CalifJim  +  514196 Thu, 15 May 08 10:09 PM Tanit “"Less than * hectares": 647 results in universities' websites, 473 in governments' websites "Fewer than * hectares": 28 results in universities' websites,  16 in governments' websites” I would imitate the usage of the majority here, and for all cases of measurements.  I don't think it's necessary to take an extremely conservative path for these even in formal writing.  In fact, the use of "fewer" in these cases sounds a bit rough on my ear -- as if the writer were trying just a little too hard to be proper and only succeeded in looking foolish.  CJ  CalifJim Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004 California Veteran Member 22,128 "There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche

	Tanit  +  514199 Thu, 15 May 08 10:18 PM Thanks, Alienvoord and CJ. We (my coauthor and I) sent the article nearly two months ago, and hopefully it will be published at the beginning of next year. We wrote "less than ... " as everybody here suggested. I must admit I was very confused, but now ... can I say it's carved in my mind? (this would be a literal translation form Italian ) Tanit Joined on Mon, Jul 31 2006 Senior Member 3,009 There is no greater pain than to remember a happy time when one is in misery. (Dante) Articles, Translation

	CalifJim  +  514224 Fri, 16 May 08 12:24 AM {off topic} Out of curiosity -- my Italian is quite bad -- is that "cavato"? CJ  CalifJim

	Tanit  +  514452 Fri, 16 May 08 03:46 PM < more offtopic > CalifJim “Out of curiosity -- my Italian is quite bad -- is that "cavato"?” It is "scolpito". I don't think your Italian is bad at all. < /offtopic> Tanit