Page 334 - Practical English Usage 3ed - Michael Swan, Oxford

2 less/fewer with and without of
Less ofand fewer ofare used before determiners (like the, my or this) and pronouns.
I'd like to spend less o f my time answering letters.
A t the college reunions, there are fewer o f us each year. Before nouns without determiners, ofis not used.
!fyou want to lose weight, eat less food. (NOT ••• less ttff68tL)
Fewer people make their own bread these days. (NOT Fewer ttfpettple ...)
3 less and fewer without nouns
Nouns can be dropped after less and fewer if the meaning is clear. Some people go to church, but lesslfewer than 20 years ago.
Less can be used as an adverb (the opposite of the adverb more). I worry less than I used to.
4 lesser
Lesser is used in a few expressions (in a rather formal style) to mean 'smaller' or 'not so much'.
the lesser of two evils a lesser-known writer
For lillie and few. see 329.
For leasl and felllesr. see 318.
For the use of milch. far. a lor etc with felller and less. see 140.
321 lest
322
1
Lest has a similar meaning to in case (see 271) or so that ... not (see 543). It is rare in British English, and is found mostly in older literature and in ceremonial language. It is a little more common in formal American English.
They kept watch all night lest robbers should come.
We must take care lest evil thoughts enter our hearts. Lest can be followed by a subjunctive verb (see 567).
The government must act, lest the problem ofchild poverty grow worse.
For more about older English. see 392.
let (1): structures
followed by infinitive without to
Let is followed by object + infinitive without to.
We usually let the children stay up late on Saturdays.
(NOT ••• let the children tB sttty / staying . ..)
She didn't let me see what site was doing. (NOT .•• let me Sflttl • •• )
Note the expressions let . .. know (= teU, inform) and let . .. have (= send, give).
lest 321
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