Being a grammar freak has its good points and its bad points. Good is appreciating the talent and skill it takes to write well. Bad is reading (or hearing) bad grammar.
What has my dander up these days is the misuse of "less." I hear it everywhere:
"Less dollars!"
It's like fingernails on a blackboard, and it seems to have grown exponentially in the past decade.
Even "The New York Times" blogged about it last month.
Being a simple man, I see two possible explanations for the problem: either teachers are not teaching the difference between "less" and "fewer," or students are not learning it.
The former is unlikely; the latter is very likely.
"Fewer," the rule says, "applies to things that are countable."
Therefore, it's fewer dollars and less money.
Fewer gallons. Less water.
So, please -- fewer lesses!
I feel better now...
What has my dander up these days is the misuse of "less." I hear it everywhere:
"Less dollars!"
It's like fingernails on a blackboard, and it seems to have grown exponentially in the past decade.
Even "The New York Times" blogged about it last month.
Being a simple man, I see two possible explanations for the problem: either teachers are not teaching the difference between "less" and "fewer," or students are not learning it.
The former is unlikely; the latter is very likely.
"Fewer," the rule says, "applies to things that are countable."
Therefore, it's fewer dollars and less money.
Fewer gallons. Less water.
So, please -- fewer lesses!
I feel better now...
No comments:
Post a Comment
Comments?