Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank: There is ______ milk left in the jug than I thought.

Appeared in: DSSSB 6 September 2024

Explanation

The sentence uses the word "than," which requires a comparative adjective to compare two quantities.
The noun being quantified is "milk," which is an uncountable noun (a substance that cannot be counted in individual units).
The correct comparative adjective for uncountable nouns is "less.".
Therefore, "less" is the only grammatically correct option to complete the comparison.

Option A: 'Lesser' is an adjective that typically refers to lower importance, quality, or rank, not quantity in this grammatical structure.
Option B: 'Few' is a quantifier used exclusively for countable nouns (items that can be counted individually).
Option D: 'Least' is the superlative form, used to compare three or more things to identify the one with the smallest amount.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Use of comparative adjectives for countable and uncountable nouns as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Precise language is crucial in nursing for accurate documentation and clear communication with colleagues and patients. Using correct grammar prevents misunderstandings.
For example, a nurse would document "less wound drainage" (uncountable) rather than "fewer wound drainage." Conversely, they might note "fewer episodes of vomiting" (countable).
What if? If the noun in the sentence were countable, such as 'pills,' the correct word would be 'fewer.' The sentence would read: "There are fewer pills left in the bottle than I thought.".

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the noun being described in the sentence. Here, it is "milk."
Determine if the noun is countable (can be counted as individual items, like 'cups') or uncountable (a mass or substance, like 'milk'). 'Milk' is uncountable.
Look for keywords that indicate a comparison. The word "than" signals that a comparative form is required.
Recall the grammatical rule: use "less" for comparing uncountable nouns and "fewer" for comparing countable nouns.
Based on the rule, select "less" as it is the correct comparative for the uncountable noun "milk."
Eliminate the other options: 'lesser' has a different meaning, 'the few' is for countable nouns, and 'least' is superlative, not comparative.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Use of comparative adjectives for countable and uncountable nouns.
Stem keywords: milk, jug, than
Lead-in keywords: fill in the blank
Negative lead-in flag: false

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Practise the full DSSSB 6 September 2024

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.