Although the government's expenditures on law suits involving tobacco

I will go with C



lower than is correct in this case , also amounts is wrong so A and E are out\
B - out uses less than
D out uses a dramatically lower sum than

Although the government's expenditures on law suits involving tobacco companies amounts to a sum dramatically lower than that spent by tobacco companies, many believe that the government should allocate no more funds to a battle they perceive as pointless.

(A) expenditures on law suits involving tobacco companies amounts to a sum dramatically lower than
(B) expenditures on law suits involving tobacco companies amount to a sum dramatically less than
(C) expenditures on law suits involving tobacco companies amount to a sum dramatically lower than
(D) law suit expenditures regarding tobacco companies amount to a dramatically lower sum than
(E) law suit expenditures against tobacco companies amounts to a sum dramatically lower than

I think expediture is countable, so 'lower than' instead of 'less than' .

C.

Although the government's expenditures on law suits involving tobacco companies amounts to a sum dramatically lower than that spent by tobacco companies, many believe that the government should allocate no more funds to a battle they perceive as pointless.

(A) expenditures on law suits involving tobacco companies amounts to a sum dramatically lower than
(B) expenditures on law suits involving tobacco companies amount to a sum dramatically less than
(C) expenditures on law suits involving tobacco companies amount to a sum dramatically lower than
(D) law suit expenditures regarding tobacco companies amount to a dramatically lower sum than
(E) law suit expenditures against tobacco companies amounts to a sum dramatically lower than

OA is C. I know that this question has been discussed earlier, but I wanted a comprehensive answer...

I know that lower is used for countable nouns and less is used for uncountable nouns. But, I read in an MGMAT answer explanation that there are three exceptions to this rule. The three are: money, distance, and time.

You say "I got less than twenty dollars", not "I got fewer than twenty dollars".

On the other hand, you say "I got lower percentage than him". You don't use "less percentage"
I read somewhere that lower and higher is used for physical entities.

I am a bit confused between 'lower than vs less than vs fewer than'. Similarly with higher than vs. more than vs. greater than.
Could somebody clarify this please?

Hi GMATNinja / mikemcgarry

Hope you are doing good

Can you help the explain the difference between "less than" and "lower than"

Any concept / dope will be really helpful to understand the usage difference. Thanks

Can you help explain the difference between less than vs lower than?

I was also confused between 'lower than vs less than vs fewer than'. Similarly with higher than vs. more than vs. greater than.

If anyone has still a confusion regarding the above usages, please follow this link below, (detailed explanation by MikemcGarry in Magoosh Blog)

1. https://magoosh.com/gmat/2012/gmat-grammar-less-vs-fewer/
2. https://magoosh.com/gmat/2012/gmat-comparisons-more-vs-greater-and-less-vs-fewer/

KAPLAN OFFICIAL EXPLANATION:

Expenditures is plural so its verb (originally amounts) needs to be plural as well. Eliminate (A) and (E). Scan for differences among the remaining choices: should the sum be less than or lower than? Lower than is right; less is only correct when it refers to something that can't be counted (less legislation but lower sums). That leaves (C) and (D). Should the choice begin expenditures on law suits or law suit expenditures? The second is unclear and unidiomatic in this context so axe it and you're left with (C).

Although the government's expenditures on law suits involving tobacco companies amounts to a sum dramatically lower than that spent by tobacco companies, many believe that the government should allocate no more funds to a battle they perceive as pointless.
// This qustion requires understanding of multiple concepts such as:
1. Use superlative degree for comparison.
2. Subject Verb agreement.
3. Logical meaning.

(A) expenditures on law suits involving tobacco companies amounts to a sum dramatically lower than// Wrong: Violates Rule SVA by using amounts for expenditures//
(B) expenditures on law suits involving tobacco companies amount to a sum dramatically less than// Wrong: Violates Rule 1 by using less than for comparison//
(C) expenditures on law suits involving tobacco companies amount to a sum dramatically lower than// Correct: Rule 1 correct, Rule 2 correct and intended meaning i also correct//
(D) law suit expenditures regarding tobacco companies amount to a dramatically lower sum than// Intended meaning is wrong//
(E) law suit expenditures against tobacco companies amounts to a sum dramatically lower than// Wrong: SVA violation//

Hope this helps...

Why that?
please explain for guaranteed kudos

paolodeppa We can't say that the expenditure was "regarding tobacco companies." We spend money on things, not regarding them.

Dear Experts,

Can you explain how can we use "Lower" for countable nouns? It is still not clear.

Is not this contradicting with this official question?

https://gmatclub.com/forum/even-though- ... 67642.html

Tamalmallick13


We're not using "lower" for a countable noun. It is modifying SUM, not EXPENDITURES.

raysayshooray

Can you clarify? What are you seeing as a contradiction?