[gomezz]

Originally Posted by johnny_t

The art of good communication is being understood,

Something the blinkered pedantry of Fowler miserably fails to recognise.

[Debian]

Originally Posted by gomezz

Something the blinkered pedantry of Fowler miserably fails to recognise.

Tell that to lawyers and contract negotiators.

'Kevin said Tony damaged his neighbour's car'

'Kevin, said Tony, damaged his neighbour's car'

Spot the difference?

[d'@ve]

Originally Posted by johnny_t

I disagree. With that, even if it is strictly correct, you will always havepeople wondering whether you are allowed through with 10 items or not.

With '10 Items or Less', it may be incorrect, but it is actually a lot clearer to everyone, no matter how well-versed they are in the finer points of grammar.

The art of good communication is being understood, and I think Tesco should leave the signs well alone.

I don't think anyone with 10 items would avoid an "up to 10 items" checkout just because the sign is worded correctly and succinctly.

[the tiniest 1]

Originally Posted by duncann

Eats Shoots and Leaves is all about the nuances of grammar and punctuation and how our lives hang on them. It's a great read.

It's called Eats, Shoots and Leaves. You missed the comma.

[Babe Rainbow]

Originally Posted by the tiniest 1

It's called Eats, Shoots and Leaves. You missed the comma.

Don't you mean he missed out the comma - you were the one who missed it - nobody else noticed

Sorry / coat

[gomezz]

Originally Posted by Debian

Tell that to lawyers and contract negotiators.

'Kevin said Tony damaged his neighbour's car'

'Kevin, said Tony, damaged his neighbour's car'

Spot the difference?

Yes. The second would be unacceptable in a legal document. They don't like commas.

[the tiniest 1]

Originally Posted by Babe Rainbow

Don't you mean she missed out the comma - you were the one who missed it - nobody else noticed

Sorry / coat

Yeah I guess I did.

I got carried away.

Edit: You also changed the word she in your post to the word he.

[d'@ve]

Originally Posted by the tiniest 1

Yeah I guess I did.

I got carried away.

No, the comma got carried away.

[Debian]

Originally Posted by gomezz

Yes. The second would be unacceptable in a legal document. They don't like commas.

In Nigeria maybe.

Who are 'they'?

[browncube]

I never count the items, I use the checkout if i use a basket regardless of how many items are in it, and no-ones ever said anything to me.

Lives to short to worry if you have one item over the ten.

[gomezz]

Originally Posted by Debian

Who are 'they'?

Your lawyer friends.

[AmishWanted]

Originally Posted by browncube

I never count the items, I use the checkout if i use a basket regardless of how many items are in it, and no-ones ever said anything to me.

Lives to short to worry if you have one item over the ten.

If there are well over 10 items (in the 10 items or less queue) from customers at my Tesco, they refuse to serve you.

[duffystev]

Originally Posted by AmishWanted

If there are well over 10 items (in the 10 items or less queue) from customers at my Tesco, they refuse to serve you.

Good, I wish they all did. It's not the customers concern with less/fewer than 10 items but the staff should enforce this.

I really don't give a monkies about the grammar. I understand that if I have 10 items in my basket/trolley i'm OK. If I have 15 items then I should go to another checkout.

Less than or fewer makes no difference to the ignorant who can't count or chose not to.