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Confusing comparison question

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Confusing comparison question

by Mo2men » Fri Feb 03, 2017 3:59 pm
Because natural gas is composed mostly of methane, a simple hydrocarbon, vehicles powered by natural gas emit less of certain pollutants than the burning of gasoline or diesel fuel.

(A) less of certain pollutants than the burning of gasoline or diesel fuel
(B) fewer of certain pollutants than burning gasoline or diesel fuel do
(C) less of certain pollutants than gasoline or diesel fuel
(D) fewer of certain pollutants than does burning gasoline or diesel fuel
(E) less of certain pollutants than those burning gasoline or diesel fuel


OA:E

Source: Manhattan

Although Pollutants is plural, E is correct answer?

How can I recognize less and fewer in that example?
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by Ali Tariq » Sat Feb 04, 2017 2:07 am
You cannot change the meaning unless intended meaning is non sensical or the choices that retain the intended meaning are exhausted( rarity/ extreme case).

less of pollutants has a meaning different from fewer of pollutants.

None is downright nonsensical.

Therefore, stick with the meaning A communicates.

Suppose we have 10 pollutants, each is 100 cubic cm
and we have two situations
situation 1--> 10 pollutants, each is reduced to, say, 40 cubic cm
situation 2--> 4 pollutants, each is 100 cubic cm

Can you tell, which of the above refers to less of pollutants and which one refers to fewer of the pollutants ?[/b]
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by GMATGuruNY » Sat Feb 04, 2017 3:31 am
LESS of certain pollutants refers to the VOLUME of each pollutant.
Last year: each pollutant = 100cc
This year: each pollutant = 10cc
Result: LESS of the pollutants.

FEWER of certain pollutants refers to the NUMBER OF DIFFERENT TYPES of pollutant.
Last year: 100 different pollutants
This year: 10 different pollutants
Result: FEWER of the pollutants.

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