Poll: He was sighted in no less than 15 countries.
He was sighted in no less than 15 countries.
Poll Stats
This Poll:
- Votes: 520
- Comments: 12
- Added: November 2003
Comments:
The meaning is slightly ambiguous. "sighted" can mean two different things.
The sentence is ambiguous, but it's more likely that it should say 'cited' (meaning quoted) than 'sighted' (meaning 'seen') - either way it should say 'fewer' and not 'less' countries.
As a Dutch teacher of English I often see an, in my view, incorrect use of less instead of fewer.
As a Dutch teacher of English I often see an, in my view, incorrect use of less instead of fewer.
It's becoming more and more common in British English.
The OED calls it a disputed usage, which seems fair- many use it, while many dispute it.
It just sounds wrong to me.
Surely it should read "He was sighted in 15 countries", possibly, "He was sighted in at least 15 countries". "no less" and "no fewer" appear incorrect. Pedantically, If one were sighted in 10 countries, one would also be sighted in 9,8,7,6, etc.
He was sighted in no FEWER than 15 countries.
He has been seen in...
He must be a celebrity. (lol)
RonBee
It be "no fewer than fifteen countries," but I think the "no less" usage is gaining ground. :(
~RonBee