I saw this sign at a Giant grocery store in Pennsylvania while shopping for my father and mother-in-law, and just shook my head. Less vs. fewer is a pet peeve of mine. Less is used when referring to something that can't be counted or doesn't have a plural (like money, air, time, music, rain); fewer is for things that can be counted or for plural nouns. I make mistakes with grammar every day, and I know this is definitely not a big deal in the scheme of things, but it still bothers me. This sign seems especially unclear; how many is "about 15 items"?
But there is good news at my local Stop & Shop! I wonder if the cashiers got tired of hearing me tell them that fewer was correct, not less? I can just imagine them pleading with their manager to please replace the old sign that said "12 items or less" so that crazy lady would stop lecturing them about grammar every time she shopped. This new sign is clear in its meaning and grammatically correct, and that makes me happy. Thank you, Stop & Shop!
I hear you! and I share your frustration ... how about amount vs number - it's like nails on a chalkboard to hear "huge amounts of [insert something here that can be counted, like people!]" ... and don't even get me started on me vs I. :-)
ReplyDelete(That crazy lady who also drags her neighbors' spent Christmas trees down the street, I might add! XO) I often feel like carrying a giant, red Sharpie around in my bag -- so I can make corrections to the signs I encounter. (I've also been behind many folks in the express lane who take liberties with the meaning of "about.")
ReplyDeleteYes. I love when complaining actually works! LOL And, I am with Kym and the red sharpie!
ReplyDeleteThe about would send me over the edge! (I may not be tip top with the grammar...) I can't imagine how far folks must push that. I like the sharpie idea!
ReplyDeleteI actually like the "about" regarding the number of items, perhaps because I am a strict rule follower and if it said 12 or FEWER (LOL) I wouldn't get in the line with 13 items. But maybe that's just me.
ReplyDeleteAmazing that the store listened to you! In this case a red sharpie wouldn't have worked (unless you had a ladder), but persuasion did! Good work, Bonny.
ReplyDeleteno matter the number there are people who go with a cart full of 15 items and many many more. Sad but true. I never noticed the grammar thing which makes me think I didn't pay enough attention to HS English classes...
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