• otp@sh.itjust.works
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      3 months ago

      “Less” is usually for non-countable objects, while “fewer” is for countable.

      “Less slime” vs. “Fewer bees”

      • Rodeo@lemmy.ca
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        3 months ago

        The comparison in this case is operating on the word half, not on the subject of the sentence:

        Only half want to get married, even less [than half] want kids.

        • fireweed@lemmy.world
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          3 months ago

          It could actually go either way, based on the title:

          Only half of South Koreans willing to marry; even less [than half] want kids

          Or

          Only half of South Koreans willing to marry; even fewer [South Koreans] want kids

          I’m inclined to lean toward the second. “Even less than half” sounds a lot clunkier than “even fewer South Koreans,” so it’s not surprising other readers assumed the latter.