e.g. do you say, "What is the fewest number of coins..." or "What is the least number of coins..."?
2007-01-17 02:02:03 · 13 answers · asked by Andy 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
Fewest coins (because it's a common noun - easier way to know: it's plural); least number (abstract noun, singular).
Smallest number and lowest number are also correct, but there isn't one that is MORE grammatically correct.
2007-01-17 07:24:01 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fewest and least have two entiredly different meanings. If you're talking about the number of objects, then you use fewest. If you're talking about amount or quantity, as with flour, water, sugar, sand, etc., then least is the correct term. Fewest, the superlative of few is for countable objects. Least, the superlative of less, is used for uncountable measurable things as mentioned.
2007-01-17 02:21:08 · answer #2 · answered by quietwalker 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well actually its the sentence its self.
you could say,
The least amount,
or the fewest number either way its gramatically correct,
but what is making it sound poor is the What?
Which has the fewest number of Coins, ?
What group has the fewest amount of coins.?
Which group has the least amount of coins.?
What line has the least number of coins.?
2007-01-17 02:15:27 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
neither, it would be 'what is the least amount of coins' or if you like 'i have the fewest coins.'
2007-01-17 05:13:29 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Least Number is correct.
2007-01-17 02:05:42 · answer #5 · answered by FavoredbyU 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'd go for least number of coins.
But the way I know it, "fewest" is used for countable things and the other one for non-countable things.
2007-01-17 02:11:06 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Least number.
2007-01-17 02:06:45 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Neither. It would be the lowest number of coins.
2007-01-17 02:06:46 · answer #8 · answered by allears 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Smallest number.
2007-01-17 02:08:45 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
Smallest number
seems right to me
2007-01-17 03:25:09 · answer #10 · answered by sudonym x 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋