Fewer vs. Less

[Sir Joseph]

I can finally post this without getting eyes-rolled at.
Every single time I'm at the supermarket I start going crazy as I approach the checkout lines.
All the stores I go to have big signs "10 items or less." Not one store has the proper "10 items or fewer." It may sound dumb, but when you're dealing with numbers, you use fewer, not less.

BTW, I love S&W for the English bible, good choice!
Just saw this site, thought you might enjoy it: http://www.painintheenglish.com/index.php

[Lovehound]

Along the same lines, "farther vs. further." Use 'farther' when referring to distance, use 'further' in all other situations. Think 'far' and link that word to 'distance.'

[ethics]

I can finally post this without getting eyes-rolled at.
Every single time I'm at the supermarket I start going crazy as I approach the checkout lines.
All the stores I go to have big signs "10 items or less." Not one store has the proper "10 items or fewer." It may sound dumb, but when you're dealing with numbers, you use fewer, not less.


Ah! Learned something today. Thanks SJ!

[ShinyTop]

Websters states the use of less with numbers is decried but in ever more popular usage "since the days of King Alfred."

[cdw]

Less also occurs with plural count nouns in expressing the following as a unit: in certain expressions of time, money, and distance, such as "less than three weeks," "less than $100," and "less than 200 miles."

Less than 10 itemS. http://www.longman.com/ae/azar/grammar_ex/message_board/archive/articles/00368.html