There is nothing about the word free in any of its senses that requires the absence of conditions.
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Thread: Use of the word FREE
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Newbie
- Join Date: Jan 2011
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#1 28-Jan-2011, 11:26Use of the word FREE
I am concerned that the word FREE may be losing its meaning. Supermarkets are using the term "buy one get one FREE". The second item in my opinion is not FREE although there is no charge for it, as the second item with no charge is dependant on the purchase of the first item and is therefore conditional on this purchase, therefore does not appear to be FREE.
Am I right in assuming the the word FREE should be without conditions?
Can someone advise?
Regards Bob
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VIP Member
Retired English Teacher
- Join Date: Oct 2010
- Posts: 28,134
#2 28-Jan-2011, 11:30Re: Use of the word FREE
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Other
- Join Date: Mar 2007
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#3 28-Jan-2011, 13:59Re: Use of the word FREE
And I can tell you from experience just how expensive a "free kitten" ends up being!
(Love her, though!)I'm not a teacher, but I write for a living. Please don't ask me about 2nd conditionals, but I'm a safe bet for what reads well in (American) English.
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