You know, I started to say that I'm a grammar-nazi, but I'm not, really. What I dislike is improper word usage. I have the usual favorites: their/there/they're and your/you're (I think that is the worst one). But one that gets me that most people don't have a clue about is fewer/less. You use fewer when it refers to things you can count, and use less when it is about amounts. Here are some examples.
- Fewer raindrops but less rain
- Fewer items in your cart but less groceries
- Fewer miles to drive but less distance to go
- Fewer nurses but less staff
- Fewer pennies but less money
- Less clothing but fewer shirts
- Less pets but fewer cats
- Less fruit but fewer grapes
- Less children but fewer sons (I'm not 100% sure about this one)
Anyway, you get the idea hopefully. When you see that sign at the checkout that says "10 items or less", you can now say, "That should say 10 items or fewer." And you would be correct.
