Why not ' 10 items or fewer'?
Just like "The Pursuit of Happyness" ?
or one way to attract people?
Because the checkout lines in the U.S. aren't called "10 Items or Fewer". The signs on them say "10 Items or Less". Blame whoever it was that came up with them for the grammatical mistake.
shareYes，I see and I found it said on the board " 10 Items or Less" at the checkout lines. Maybe, people just used to it.
Thanks
This is how language changes. Almost everything we now say and write to paper is grammatically incorrect when compared to Old English. It like the word "irregardless". It is not grammatically correct because of it's redundant nature, but it's widely used and accepted.
shareI got it.
Thank you for your kind reply
It may be accepted, but it hurts my ears too!
shareI like it, it probably originates from mathematics.
< less than
> greater than
10 items or fewer sounds wrong, it even sounds inconvenient.
Grammar does change, deal with it people.
Technically it may be wrong but I like it!
'10 items or fewer' only sounds wrong if you are uneducated. When I read the title the first thought I had was, "they even use bad grammer in the title of the movie? How sad."
Fewer is used in a sentence relating to items you can count like fewer trees, or fewer sunny days. Less is used to refer to things you cannot count like less forrest or less sunlight.
This is a rule of grammer that has not changed, which doesn't stop people from speaking incorrectly, which is ok if thats what you want to do, but don't pretend it isn't wrong, when it most certainly is.
Saying "it only sounds wrong if you are uneducated." is pretty damn egotistical. Now, to me "10 items or less" sounds absolutely right. Maybe that's just because of growing up with that in the grocery lines and it became right, but it certainly sounds right to me. The only way I can see "fewer" being related to that is if it said "Fewer than 10 items".
Nevertheless, what's the big deal? It DOES sound right saying "less", even if you claim to be some super-intelligent graduate.
I agree. Language is organic and is constantly evolving. For example, people used to say: To whom should should I give this package? instead of: Who should I give this package to? Nobody today would condemn the speaker who uses the latter, more common,way.
shareGood for you, bearchamps07! "Fewer than 10 items" would be correct, as would "Ten or fewer items." "Ten items or fewer" is awkward and "Ten items or less" is just wrong.
shareYes, a super-intelligent graduate of the 9th grade, perhaps. This is hardly advanced knowledge. Anyway, I've been a frequent participant in the great debate between proper grammar and so-called everyday usage. I believe that we should all appreciate the elegance of proper grammar while respecting the fact that it is not a priority for everyone. Failure to be perfect does not suggest a lack of intelligence.
Incidentally, while most of the supermarkets I frequent do have lanes for "10 Items or Less," one of the pricier markets where I live does indicate "10 Items or Fewer." I always smile when I see that, but it doesn't make me feel any worse about the other, "improper" markets.
mrc303:
It's "grammar" not "grammer". English isn"t even my first language.
"'10 items or fewer' only sounds wrong if you are uneducated..."
"This is a rule of grammer that has not changed,..."
Grammer?? Oh, the irony!
You misspelled grammar. Twice! Yet you call others 'ignorant.'
Seriously, have you never been in a grocery store? It may be grammatically incorrect, but the idea that you think the error is a film flaw is cultural ignorance. I find it hard to believe you've never seen a '10 items or less' checkout lane in an Albertson's or a Safeway.
sharefewer is for integer items
less if for rational numbers.
As for bad english creeping into popular culture, look at all the bad english in pop songs
eg
'Cause there ain't no one for to give you no pain (thank you America and horse with no name)
And in case you think only American's mangle the English language
In live and let die, by paul mccartney
this ever-changing world in which we live in
make up your mind it's either
this ever-changing world in which we live
or
this ever-changing world which we live in
but it's not the first
sheesh!
Publix have the correct signs
10 items or fewer, clearly the people who made this film are walmart customers
It like the word "irregardless". It is not grammatically correct because of it's redundant nature, but it's widely used and accepted.
Only by idiot Americans! Go anywhere outside the USA and use "irregardless" in a sentence and even the non-English speakers will correct you.
" It like the word "irregardless". It is not grammatically correct because of it's redundant nature, but it's widely used and accepted."
Never ever heard anyone use it - at least anyone that spoke 'English.' So have NO idea where 'accepted.' It's used only as a joke as far as I know.