Great explanation, InkyBinky - and just since the topic is up, let me add:
-the distinction really comes down to "Singular" (one entity, like "water" or "sand") vs. "Plural" (multiple items, like "gallons of water" or "grains of sand")
-it's important, then, to note these particular idioms because they'll correspond nicely with other GMAT errors (singular/plural pronouns; singular/plural verbs; comparisons in which you'd have more/fewer of one than another)
So, those idioms would fall into a few camps:
Singular vs. Plural
Much vs. Many
Less vs. Fewer
Amount vs. Number
Little vs. Few
Note: I'm working on making this table look prettier, but hopefully this is alright for now.
Examples:
There is so much pollution in the air that the city has warned people to stay inside. ("Pollution" is singular)
There are so many toxins in the water that the beach will be closed for the rest of the summer. ("Toxins" is plural)
There is less water in the Atlantic Ocean than in the Pacific. ("water" is singular)
There are fewer whales in the Atlantic Ocean than in the Pacific. ("whales" is plural)
Brian Galvin
GMAT Instructor
Chief Academic Officer
Veritas Prep
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