http://www.thetruthaboutgrammar.com/2009/12/less-is-more-or-not/ Fighting the War on Error Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:12:39 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://www.thetruthaboutgrammar.com/2009/12/less-is-more-or-not/#comment-118 Ben Tue, 12 Jan 2010 15:31:21 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutgrammar.com/?p=816#comment-118 If you're reading the sentence as "More than eighty degrees below zero," it would make sense, as "more than" references "eighty," not "below." The real problem in the sentence is that "temperatures can go down to" indicates a fixed point, where "more than" is obviously flexible, so the statement is meaningless. (See the common "Up to 80% off and more!" for reference.) If you’re reading the sentence as “More than eighty degrees below zero,” it would make sense, as “more than” references “eighty,” not “below.” The real problem in the sentence is that “temperatures can go down to” indicates a fixed point, where “more than” is obviously flexible, so the statement is meaningless. (See the common “Up to 80% off and more!” for reference.)

]]> http://www.thetruthaboutgrammar.com/2009/12/less-is-more-or-not/#comment-117 Jeff Puthuff Thu, 24 Dec 2009 21:23:52 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutgrammar.com/?p=816#comment-117 Yes, lower would work. Technically, a temperature measurement measures heat energy; so below 0 degrees Celsius, "less than" or "lower than" would be appropriate. Yes, lower would work. Technically, a temperature measurement measures heat energy; so below 0 degrees Celsius, “less than” or “lower than” would be appropriate.

]]> http://www.thetruthaboutgrammar.com/2009/12/less-is-more-or-not/#comment-116 Robert Schwartz Sun, 20 Dec 2009 08:01:58 +0000 http://www.thetruthaboutgrammar.com/?p=816#comment-116 How about lower and higher. Temperature can go lower than -85 How about lower and higher. Temperature can go lower than -85

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