【求助】大全284 costs是可数还是不可数啊？

zsy020584

大全284，不会呀，没讨论贴呀！(已解决)
1.        Even though the direct costs of malpractice disputes amounts to a sum lower than one percent of the $541 billion the nation spent on health care last year, doctors say fear of lawsuits plays major role in health-care inflation.
(A) amounts to a sum lower
(B) amounts to less
(C) amounted to less
(D) amounted to lower
(E) amounted to a lower sum


costs是可数还是不可数啊？不是加s吗，那应该fewer啊？不是吗？confused~~~ 求NN解答....

misslila

为什么不是fewer呢。我也有这个疑惑

misslila

"Less" refers to a smaller number or quantity, usually of something uncountable (and thus singular).
There is less water in the bucket than in the pool.
I have been trying to cut back, so now I drink less coffee.

However, we can use "less" to refer to something plural if it is a measure of time, money, or distance.
The red sweater is on sale for $10 less than regular price.
The distance to the grocery store is 3 miles less than the distance to the restaurant.
Felicia spoke to the group for less than 5 minutes.

(The idea behind this exception is that time, money, and distance are all uncountable as bulk quantities, so we use "less" as the comparison word even though we have countable units of measure for these quantities.)

Typically we would use "few/fewer" to refer to a smaller number of countable (and thus plural) items.
Express checkout: 10 items or fewer.
Gene has read only a few books on the assigned reading list.

"Lower" is the comparative of "low," so it should only be applied to things that could be described as low.
The average temperature is lower in the winter than in the summer.
Lower the water level in the pool by pulling the drain plug.