Here's your next quick grammar lesson:
Can't remember how to use the words fewer and less? Just remember that most grocery stores have it backwards, and you'll never forget again. Use fewer for countable items, less for non-countable quantities.
The express lane--"Ten Items or Less"--then, has got it all wrong. Can you count the items in your cart? Then use fewer. You have fewer items than the guy behind you does. But how much milk is in that quart you're buying? Less than is in a gallon jug. Can you count the milk? No, so use less.
Cashier: Ma'am, I'm afraid you don't have less than ten items.
You: Pardon me, but don't you mean fewer?
Cashier: Excuse me? Ma'am, this is the express line; you can't use this line unless you have less than ten items.
You: But you should say fewer...see, I can count my items, so you should use fewer and not less...
Cashier: Apparently, you can't count them! You have twelve!
Got it? I wouldn't recommend arguing about it with your cashier, though...
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5 comments:
So a quart of milk has 96 less ounces than a gallon?
Ummm...we don't do math.
You, of course, know that this very debate over "less" and "fewer" is what made me fall in love with my husband on our first date.
Kerry: So [desparate for comfortable conversation--it being a first date], ummm...what's your biggest pet peeve?
Dave: [understanding that this is, of course, a test]: Hmmm....people who say "less" when they mean "fewer."
Kerry swoons with delight, bats her eyelashes, and sighs. It was love.
Finally, proof that being smart (or at least knowing grammar) leads to a better love life! :)
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