Compulsory smart meter!

[JohnW2]

That depends on the mistake.

Indeed, some mistakes of language can interfere with 'clear and unambiguous communication' - but many/most grammatical mistakes do not.

 

[EFLImpudence]

No one mentioned banning anyone.

I fail to see why corrections are so terrible especially in the case of someone who should know better.


As for you big-all, would you care to tell us why you spell 'if' with two fs on purpose after being corrected years ago.

 

[securespark]

fewer

fewer

I was taught that if you can count them, it's "fewer".

But lots of folk use "less". I've even heard it on the Beeb....

 

[JohnW2]

I was taught that if you can count them, it's "fewer". ...

... so was I, but ....

But lots of folk use "less". I've even heard it on the Beeb....

.... as I wrote to EFLI, it's a 'mistake' (if that's what it is) that I,along with millions of others frequently make. However, having just sked Mr Google,I see that the matter is somewhat controversial, and I also found a few 'authorities' using words to describe 'people who fuss about the difference' which might upset or annoy EFLI

In fact, some of what I've found may shoot EFLI's arguments in their foot, since one of the things I fund was ...

Less has historically been used in English with countable nouns, but a distinction between the use of fewer and less is first recorded in the 18th century.

... and he seems to feel that 'correct' use of words is 'like wot was correct in the past

Kind Regards, John

 

[Deryck Tintagel]

 

[EFLImpudence]

All that was needed was "Yes, sorry. My mistake".

 

[EFLImpudence]

But lots of folk use "less". I've even heard it on the Beeb....

Lots of folk are wrong about lots of things.

 

[Vicario]

The less/fewer debate has been around for years. It's 'you should of/could of' instead of 'should have etc.' which is, if anything, more common. I think that this one is hardly noticed in speech but it stands out when written.

 

[JohnW2]

All that was needed was "Yes, sorry. My mistake".

As I wrote, if one takes your view that 'correct use of words' today means 'what used go be correct', then there presumably was no mistake to apologise about? ...

Less has historically been used in English with countable nouns, but a distinction between the use of fewer and less is first recorded in the 18th century.

Kind Regards, John