My understanding on the aforementioned options is:
For increase in a single statistic e.g. 'the number' or 'the population' or any other single statistic. , we use LOWER THAN.
With numbers and units we use LESS THAN
However, I am little confused in extrapolating my concepts in the following examples:
The price of copper is five dollars lower than the price of silver. Correct
The price of copper is five dollars less than the price of silver. Incorrect
Price is a single statistic, so we use LOWER than.
Gyrfalcon is now extinct. Its numbers are now much lower than what they were in a decade ago. Correct
Gyrfalcon is now extinct. Its numbers are now much less than what they were in a decade ago. Incorrect
Number of Gyrfalcon is a single statistic, so we use LOWER than.
For the below two examples, I can't really figure out as to which rule should I apply. As employment costs and direct costs both seem to be a single statistic and involve numbers.
Employment costs rose 2.8 percent, slightly less than they did in the year that ended in the previous quarter. Correct
Employment costs rose 2.8 percent, slightly lower than they did in the year that ended in the previous quarter. Incorrect
Direct costs amounts to less than one percent of the $541 billion. Correct
Direct costs amounts to lower than one percent of the $541 billion. Incorrect
Could someone explain as to what really is the rule to choose between lower than and less than. Also correct my line of reasoning if it is flawed.
Anticipatory Thanks,
For increase in a single statistic e.g. 'the number' or 'the population' or any other single statistic. , we use LOWER THAN.
With numbers and units we use LESS THAN
However, I am little confused in extrapolating my concepts in the following examples:
The price of copper is five dollars lower than the price of silver. Correct
The price of copper is five dollars less than the price of silver. Incorrect
Price is a single statistic, so we use LOWER than.
Gyrfalcon is now extinct. Its numbers are now much lower than what they were in a decade ago. Correct
Gyrfalcon is now extinct. Its numbers are now much less than what they were in a decade ago. Incorrect
Number of Gyrfalcon is a single statistic, so we use LOWER than.
For the below two examples, I can't really figure out as to which rule should I apply. As employment costs and direct costs both seem to be a single statistic and involve numbers.
Employment costs rose 2.8 percent, slightly less than they did in the year that ended in the previous quarter. Correct
Employment costs rose 2.8 percent, slightly lower than they did in the year that ended in the previous quarter. Incorrect
Direct costs amounts to less than one percent of the $541 billion. Correct
Direct costs amounts to lower than one percent of the $541 billion. Incorrect
Could someone explain as to what really is the rule to choose between lower than and less than. Also correct my line of reasoning if it is flawed.
Anticipatory Thanks,
