10 items or less

31.08.08, 12:26
The distinction between 'less' and 'fewer' is basically obsolete and
only exists in textbooks and the FCE exam.
Someone, though, must have complained that '10 items or less' is
ungrammatical, so Tesco are changing all their signs:
news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7590440.stm
    • paulski Re: 10 items or less 05.09.08, 04:23
      > The distinction between 'less' and 'fewer' is basically obsolete

      No, it isn't.

      > Someone, though, must have complained that '10 items or less' is
      > ungrammatical,
      ....and ugly too.

      Now it's time for fixing the other ubiquitous grocery-store specialty: all the
      baking/cooking/sewing and other -ing needs.
      • chris-joe Re: 10 items or less 05.09.08, 22:36
        Ah, paulski, you think it's a winable battle?
        These days "or fewer" can be encountered solely in the fine print form. Does
        anyone read fine print anymore? Does anyone remember the smell of print ink
        fresh from the press? (Or is it "printing ink"?)

        Woe is us! Alas.
        • paulski Re: 10 items or less 09.09.08, 21:36
          > Ah, paulski, you think it's a winable battle?

          You bet your sweet bippy it is.
          You can't win if you don't put up a fight.

          > These days "or fewer" can be encountered solely in the fine print
          form.

          Wroooong.

          >(Or is it "printing ink"?)

          It's printer's ink or printing ink.

          > Woe is us! Alas.

          Whiner!


    • mpthomas Re: 10 items or less 09.09.08, 17:33
      finally!
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