"You shop, we drop." Is Tesco's slogan grammatically acceptable?
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Tesco's logo
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Tesco's slogan: "You shop, we drop."
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The Charge:
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"You shop, we drop." should be
written as two sentences - not one. The slogan contains a
run-on error. In other words, Tesco is guilty of using a comma
instead of a full
stop 
/ period  .
It should be written "You shop. We drop." |
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Defence
Defense Case:
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This slogan is based on the well-known
saying "shop till you drop". In this saying, "till you
drop" is
an adverb of time, and the "we
drop" in the Tesco's slogan should be
treated as one too. Fully expanded, the slogan would read "You shop,
while we drop." It is understood that an adverb of time at the end of
a sentence does not need to be preceded with a comma. However, in this slogan,
the comma assists the reader. It is not a run-on sentence. |
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Prosecution Case:
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Poor grammar
cannot be justified by claiming that missing chunks of the sentences are
playing a role. (Note I said 'sentences'...plural.) I'll use an
example to make my point:
It is a
gift from
my wife and I. 
Now, we all know that is incorrect. It should be: "It is a gift from
me and my wife." However, using your logic, I could claim that
"contributed half towards it." is missing from the end of the
sentence.
It is a gift from my wife and I contributed half towards it. 
What's written is all that should be judged. This is a run-on
sentence. |
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Judge Grammar Monster's Decision:
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Mmmm, this is a difficult one. I am quite
lenient with adverts, because they perform a different function to
official correspondence. Being grammatically stringent with adverts
would be as absurd as checking song lyrics for poor grammar. Take for
example "Old pirates, yes, they rob I. [Redemption Song. Bob Marley.
Circa 1979.]" Of course, it should be "Old pirates robbed
me". However, have you tried keeping the rhythm with those
words?
I also subscribe to the idea that understood (or missing)
words can play a role. In fact, the term "understood" to
denote missing words that play a grammatical role is common parlance down our way.
I judge that Tesco's "You shop, we drop." is grammatically
acceptable. |
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