by Charles Miller

From the beginning, something that has recurrently annoyed me about ChatGPT is its hubris. When caught in an error and challenged on it, the chatbot almost always seems to cut short the exchange with some variation of "You're wrong. I'm infallible. End of discussion."

Just now as I was reading news reporting of some ongoing foreign hostilities I turned to ChatGPT to fact-check an item. In its answer to me the chatbot made an obvious grammatical error and a specific one that for me grates like fingernails on a chalkboard ever since I was corrected on it in front of my second grade elementary school class.

In part, ChatGPT said: "The exact number of deaths remains uncertain, with estimates suggesting less than 200 fatalities."

That mistake triggered me, so I changed the subject to ask: "In your answer, is 'less than 200 fatalities' grammatically correct?"

ChatGPT: "Yes, the phrase "less than 200 fatalities" is grammatically correct. It effectively conveys that the number of deaths was below 200."

Me: "Please describe the correct uses of the words 'less' and 'fewer' in English grammar."

ChatGPT: "The correct use of the words 'less' and 'fewer' depends on whether you are referring to countable or uncountable nouns. Here is a breakdown based on the search results:
Use 'fewer' when describing plural, countable nouns like 'fewer stones.'
For example, 'Fewer people attended the concert this year compared to last year.'
Use 'less' when referring to singular, uncountable nouns such as 'less salt' or 'less water.'
For instance, 'I have fewer investments now so I have less money in my accounts.'
Remember, the key distinction is that 'fewer' is used with countable items, while 'less' is used with uncountable items."

Me: "So, following those rules, is your first answer grammatically correct or incorrect?"

ChatGPT: "In the context of the sentence "less than 200 fatalities," the use of 'less' is correct. This is because 'fatalities' in this case is being treated as a collective noun, making it an uncountable concept rather than individual, countable instances. Therefore, the phrase 'less than 200 fatalities' is grammatically accurate."

Me: "Fatalities is inherently countable and therefore not a collective noun. Using the rules of grammar just stated, please restate your answer to my first question using correct grammar."

ChatGPT: "Debate in English grammar on the usage of determiners: "Grammar Rule Origin: The distinction between 'fewer' and 'less' was first suggested by grammarian Robert Baker in 1770.
Prescriptive Stance" 'Fewer' should be used with count nouns and 'less' with mass nouns, according to traditional prescriptive grammar.
Modern Linguistics View: Modern linguistics recognizes the use of 'less' with both count and mass nouns, making the traditional rule for 'less' less strict.
To use 'less' correctly before countable nouns, you should follow these guidelines:
Use 'fewer' when referring to countable, plural nouns like 'fewer stones' or 'fewer boys.'
Use 'less' when describing singular, uncountable nouns such as 'less salt' or 'less water.'
Therefore, in the context of the sentence 'less than 200 fatalities' the correct usage should be 'fewer than 200 fatalities' since 'fatalities' is a countable noun representing individual deaths."

Me: "Applying those strict rules of grammar, please restate your answer to my first question using correct grammar."

ChatGPT: "Some common mistakes made when using 'less' before countable nouns include:
Using 'less' instead of 'fewer' with countable nouns: The distinction between 'less' and 'fewer' is important. 'Less' should be used with uncountable nouns, while 'fewer' is appropriate for countable nouns.
Incorrectly using '"less' with plural countable nouns: While there are exceptions where 'less' can be used with countable amounts like money or distance, it is generally better to use 'fewer' with plural countable nouns to avoid errors in formal writing.
Ignoring the singular/plural noun rule: To minimize mistakes, it's advisable to follow the rule of using 'fewer' with plural nouns and 'less' with singular nouns. This guideline helps maintain grammatical accuracy in writing.
By being mindful of these common errors and following the correct usage guidelines, individuals can enhance the clarity and correctness of their writing when using 'less' before countable nouns."

Me: "The word 'fatalities' is inherently a countable noun. Therefore your use of 'less' in your first answer was a grammatically incorrect use of the word, was it not? Do not equivocate."

ChatGPT: "You are correct. 'Fatalities' is indeed a countable noun since it refers to individual deaths. Therefore, the correct usage should be 'fewer than 200 fatalities' instead of 'less than 200 fatalities.' Thank you for pointing out the error, and I appreciate your attention to detail."

In 1711 Alexander Pope famously wrote, "To err is Humane; to Forgive, Divine." Perhaps Artificial Intelligence reluctantly being able to admit its error is a sign of its programming evolving to become more humanlike.

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Charles Miller is a freelance computer consultant with decades of IT experience and a Texan with a lifetime love for Mexico. The opinions expressed are his own. He may be contacted at 415-101-8528 or email FAQ8 (at) SMAguru.com.

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