The GOP debates have become entertaining television events. One of the most buzz-worthy comments, for many reasons, from the Wisconsin debate was this:
Welders make more money than philosophers. We need more welders and less philosophers.
Senator Marco Rubio, presidential candidate
Philosophers were quick to point out that people who make more money are not by definition more important than others.
Census experts were quick to post income information about welders ($37,420) vs. philosophers ($63,630) to show how the comment did not pass the fact-check meter.
Presidential candidate Carly Fiorina’s supporters were quick to note she has a degree in philosophy from Stanford to demonstrate it is an honorable route to success.
Grammarians were quick to tweet about improper word usage.
Did you notice the grammar error? Give up? He would have been correct to say “We need FEWER philosophers.”
According to the Grammar Girl on less vs. fewer, a quick and dirty tip is to use less for things you don’t count (sugar, water, candy) and fewer for things you can count (cups of sugar, glasses of water, M&Ms). Our English class taught us to use less for abstract nouns, matters of degree/bulk and singular nouns (love, philosophy). Fewer was for plural nouns, quantities and things that can be counted (welders, philosophers). Using either method, Marco Rubio fails his middle school grammar quiz.
So does anyone care about these distinctions and does grammar matter anymore in an lol world?
We would like to argue that grammar is important and grammar still matters. It’s all a part of communication and it is on the front lines of how you present yourself and how you are perceived. There are just too many resources available – use proper grammar! People will notice the substance from your presentation and not be distracted by your misuse of the language. Their or there, who or whom, I or me, it or it’s, less or fewer – the correct usage is only an internet search away. Or sign up for Grammarly, an automated proofreading tool that is an LGK favorite. Casual writing does not mean sloppy writing. Speaking without a script does not mean it’s OK to get it almost right. Get it completely right.
Grammarly also believes grammar matters and has released a presidential debate power ranking. Just for fun, see how the candidates fared.
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