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ESL forum >
Ask for help > A DOUBT....
A DOUBT....
mabevi
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A DOUBT....
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Hi dear all, my question is: What is the difference between MINUS and LESS?
I know that words have the same meaning in Maths... but is correct when I say:
3 LESS 2 equal: 1 or 3 MINUS 2 equal:1 Can you help me, please.... Thanks |
13 Mar 2010
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sarahgriffin
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Hi
They are both correct, but 3 LESS 2 equals 1 is not very common at all.
At least not in Ireland anyway, I may stand corrected where other English speaking countries exist |
13 Mar 2010
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Mariethe House
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I say and have heard say: 3 minus 2 .... or minus 1
as for less ; less + adjective ; less important than ; less imaginative than ....
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13 Mar 2010
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GIOVANNI
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I have heard three less two equals one used in Canada.
The general rule is to use "less" with non-count nouns.
I have less money in my bank at the moment,
or as Mariethehouse stated. |
13 Mar 2010
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GIOVANNI
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We use minus most of the time in Canada, but on occasion I have also heard less used. |
14 Mar 2010
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yanogator
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In the US, "less" in this sense is an older usage that is disappearing. We say 5 minus 2 equals 3.
Bruce |
14 Mar 2010
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yujiumao
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Ditto, people rarely use "less" in math anymore nowadays. |
14 Mar 2010
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