Hurrah, so the book covers the old 'fewer or less' chestnut as well. I often tell supermarket staff what the sign should read, and they look at me as though I'm completely barking.
Is this the right moment to mention the number of times 'definately' and 'aswell' feature on these fora?
My brother works in advertising, and rang me up last Easter to say that they had a slogan that they were using for in-store advertising, and they were sure there should be an apostrophe somewhere - but where?
"Free Kids Eggs"
The actual offer was one free mini-egg (i.e. "kid's egg" as opposed to "adult's egg") per child, but the offer was not limited to one child, obviously...
Answers on a postcard please...
(In case you're unable to contain your excitement and curiosity about the outcome, I went back to him with the answer only to be told that the client didn't give a damn about apostrophes and it was cheaper not to change the sign...)
One of the roads to my village has just been closed for two weeks. It is a pleasant, convenient run, and at 2 miles long a very good safe run in the dark evenings. However, the experience is somewhat spoilt by the road sign at the very start stating "Busines's Open As usual". All punctuation, spelling and case as per original. Can't run down there - I would spend the whole time fuming!
The book is excellent, and I would thoroughly recommend it as good reading for grammar purists. My wife couldn't understand most of it though (and she is a teacher........).
oh, and the other drawback with that answer was that you're suggesting that the eggs belong to the free kids, and that children in slavery don't have any. But that's a bit tortuous!
I went to a presentation by two renowned academics on Friday night ... they might know their own subject, but neither could punctuate. I wanted to scream, or at least break into their laptops and remove the rogue apostrophes that peppered both presentations.
whilst most peeps in this thread seem to be the punctuation freaks referred to, I am a bit dodgy on it all, especially the apostrophe, which is why the book is a must for my Chrissie stocking!
I was really making the same point as you, i.e. that it doesn't really matter. If the distinction was of any use whatsoever, then there would be a similar distinction between more and greater.
TMAP, there is actually a book called Between You and I. It's by John Humphrys (sp?) and is a rant against incorrect English usage. How do I know this? Because Amazon are doing it as a deal together with Eats Shoots and Leaves.
Can I also recommend the new BBC News Styleguide, written by a mate of mine and free to download as a pdf from here Just go down the page and click on the download button.
Me too, Muttley! The guide doesn't have any punctuation in it, as it's mainly for broadcasters, but lots of nice bits on horrible phrases and words to avoid.
I started reading that book yesterday. As a result, I missed my stop and ended up in Woolwich. You guys have a lot to answer for.
The worst aspect is that a colleague got off at Woolwich too and saw me - and has told the entire office that I missed my station because I was laughing at a book about punctuation...
Comments
Poor Snail. <<meerkat passes the Apostrophe Tonic>>
Is this the right moment to mention the number of times 'definately' and 'aswell' feature on these fora?
I'm worn out from being so picky now: I'll stop.
My brother works in advertising, and rang me up last Easter to say that they had a slogan that they were using for in-store advertising, and they were sure there should be an apostrophe somewhere - but where?
"Free Kids Eggs"
The actual offer was one free mini-egg (i.e. "kid's egg" as opposed to "adult's egg") per child, but the offer was not limited to one child, obviously...
Answers on a postcard please...
(In case you're unable to contain your excitement and curiosity about the outcome, I went back to him with the answer only to be told that the client didn't give a damn about apostrophes and it was cheaper not to change the sign...)
The book is excellent, and I would thoroughly recommend it as good reading for grammar purists. My wife couldn't understand most of it though (and she is a teacher........).
The only entirely satisfactory solution was too long to be a good slogan: "Free kid's egg for each kid" Not v snappy, eh?
I went to a presentation by two renowned academics on Friday night ... they might know their own subject, but neither could punctuate. I wanted to scream, or at least break into their laptops and remove the rogue apostrophes that peppered both presentations.
I think my brother wished he hadn't asked!
And yes, that's probably why the client said 'sod the apostrophes'...
Just like school all over again ;-)
If you have eaten more bananas than me,
have I eaten fewer or less bananas than you?
but it doesn't really matter.
The one that gets on my nerves is people saying "between you and I" or "a photo of my wife and I". Even Bill Clinton does that.
It annoys me cos they're trying to sound posh and clever, but they're wrong. Should be "me" unless it's the subject of the sentence.
Then you'd say "less banana", not "less bananas", presumably.
I was really making the same point as you, i.e. that it doesn't really matter. If the distinction was of any use whatsoever, then there would be a similar distinction between more and greater.
For those with an interest in such things, have a look at Michael Quinion's wonderful http://www.worldwidewords.org/
And finally (yes I started a bloody sentence with AND):
Who led the Pedants' Revolt?
Which Tyler.
Are you looking for any freelance proofreaders, by the way, Muttley (looking at you hopefully)?
Just go down the page and click on the download button.
Fishy - 'fraid not, I'm not in such a position. Sorry!
The worst aspect is that a colleague got off at Woolwich too and saw me - and has told the entire office that I missed my station because I was laughing at a book about punctuation...
Now checking to see if it has my favourite broadcasting mistakes in it (like electrocuted vs. electric shock)