"upto" or "up to"

[chiradeep sirkar]

Grammatically speaking, we know "upto" is incorrect when a part of a sentence. Yet, when used as an operative on a numerical ( upto 50% discount on woolens... ) it appears to have complete acceptance. This is seen especially in advertising where it is used mostly as a single block, with the "upto" going vertical and alongside the numerical that follows. Is this just bad grammar, a capitulation of grammar to semiotics, or is the joining of the "up" and the "to" permitted when used mathematically ?

 

[BobK]

nfire: It's a mixture of the first two options; but what mathematicians allow themselves to do in the privacy of their own specialism is up to them. The perpetrators are making a false analogy with 'onto/into/unto'. On the other hand, as fivejedjon said recently in another thread, 'today's slip is tomorrow's good grammar' (or words to that effect).

b

PS nfire: and 'UPTO 50%' is even worse; it almost always means 'a maximum of 50% off the price of a few things nobody wants'. onfire: - in case you hadn't noticed)

 

[Rover_KE]

Up to should always be two words.

Rover