Here's a Little FREE Advice on Offering Free Services

At least once a day I read or hear something that talks about giving away something.  You've seen the late night commercials.  "Call now and get a second one for free!"  Or you can picture a real estate ad that would say, "Buy or sell with me and use this truck for free."

My beef is not with anyone giving away additional items or services.  Nope.  It's the grammatical incorrectness with which they do it.  Every time I hear it or read it, the voice of a radio talk show host that I used to work for echoes in my head.  Perhaps you are familiar with him. G. Gordon Liddy.  If you are at all familiar with his show, you can hear his voice saying exactly what I am about to repeat here:

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS FOR FREE.  IT IS SIMPLY FREE.

Now I'm about to whip out my inner English teacher and tell you why.  The word FOR is a preposition to be used in front of NOUNS.  FREE is an ADJECTIVE.  So you would never use a preposition in front of an adjective.  Wouldn't make sense.

We should really hold ourselves to a higher level when writing, speaking or communicating in any form...with the obvious exception of text messages which are another rant in and of themselves.

So if you want to offer something at no charge, remember it is simply free, NOT for free.

 

Chris Ann Cleland, Associate Broker- Licensed in Virginia, GRI, SFR, Northern Virginia Short Sale Specialist. Affiliated with Long & Foster, 7526 Limestone Drive, Gainesville, VA 20155.  To contact Chris Ann, call 703-402-0037 or email chrisann@LNF.com.  Or you can visit her website:  www.nvarealestate.net.

Header photos taken by Chris Ann Cleland.

The opinions expressed in this post are those of Chris Ann Cleland, not those of Long & Foster REALTORS®.

 
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19 Comments on Here's a Little FREE Advice on Offering Free Services

JUL
08
861,217 Points 174 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I've never paid much attention to that but don't do it myself so I'm in the clear.  Bad grammar is a huge issue in this industry (and many others).
10:51am • #1
729,199 Points 103 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Hi Chris Ann - The variation that annoys me is the implied-free "buy one, get one". Yeah, I bought it, so I should get it, right? Oh, you mean "buy one, get one free", or maybe "buy one, get two"! Why didn't you say so?
10:54am • #2
1,518,993 Points 112 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Bryan:  It's just one of my many pet peeves, having been a communication major.

Dick:  That's annoying too, now that you've pointed it out.  
11:03am • #3
638,923 Points 53 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I hear ya.  Improper English gets my goat as well.  I get so tired of people who write and talk like they didn't make it through third grade.  My daughter took AP English throughout high school and constantly corrects my grammar.  Silly daughter.  I try to sound intelligent, but sometimes I wonder if folks even realize what is proper grammar. 
11:52am • #4
236,208 Points Called Shot Master

English is not one of my strong points, thanks for the lesson of the day.
12:02pm • #5
1,329,578 Points 189 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

The for free is indicating the $$$ amount. For $5, For $100, so they substitute For $0 but say For Free. I love how you are a stickler though Chris Ann. Free to them equals $0. Have I been contrarian to your high road grammar lesson to me today??  Ha Ha. Free IS a noun when you think $0. For free is an IDIOM that means NO CHARGE. But "technically" no not a noun. No wonder foreigners have such a hard time with English. Too many exceptions to the rule.
12:49pm • #6
985,152 Points 106 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

If you're really stuck trying to remember, you can simply say the item is at no charge. Just the same way you can say a statement raises the question instead of incorrectly phrasing the statement as it "begs the question," which is wrong. Every time I hear somebody say: "that begs the question," I cringe.

And that agent with the free truck? It's not really free. You still gotta put up with an agent who needs to borrow / buy / pay for a moving truck to get you to do with business with her.
12:55pm • #7
1,518,993 Points 112 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Belinda:  I bet I would love to meet your daughter.  She's probably as nit-picky as I am, though most of the time I try to hold my tongue.

Pete:  It's just one of those lessons that once it is learned, it will drive you nuts to hear it otherwise as well.

Gary:  I knew there'd be a response like this.  Glad it was you.

Elizabeth:  Very true.  Not all free items and services are worth the experience it takes to get them.
1:44pm • #8
296,928 Points 10 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Chris Ann, good lessons to remember...we shouldn't use our prepositions to end a sentence either, right?! I always struggle with that and sometimes just throw the towel in and do it anyway! LOL
1:53pm • #9
551,851 Points 20 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Thank you Mrs. Cleland!  I learned something new today.  I don't typically offer very much FREE, maybe a CMA.  I'll be sure to advertise properly in the future!
2:12pm • #10
1,518,993 Points 112 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Lynn:  I try really hard not to that one either.

Donna:  Don't make me get out my ruler.  :)  I actually had an English teacher that would smack us on the hand if we got stuff like this wrong.  And it was public school.
4:10pm • #11
237,509 Points 6 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Love it, Chris Ann.  I think grammar has fallen by the wayside, which is a real shame.  I wish poor grammar didn't bother me as much as it does - I hate always being the grammar Nazi in my family (I'm sure they hate it too, but gee whiz...)
6:46pm • #12
JUL
09
872,624 Points 47 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Chris Ann, as an English major and daughter of two constantly correcting parents every time we ever said something improperly, I second this!! And third it!!

Sharon
8:10am • #13
705,094 Points 56 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Good Morning Chris Ann, In this workd you pay up front or pay in the end. You know what they say free advice is worth.....  Have a great Monday
8:13am • #14
1,518,993 Points 112 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Melissa:  Well I know I'm in good company if you are a grammar Nazi too.

Sharon:  Thanks.

Scott:  As long as it's not FOR free.  
11:34am • #15
586,233 Points 46 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Good afternoon Chris Ann

I'm glad the inner teacher in you rose today.  I had not thought of Free vs For Free before.  Now I know better and shall remember your lesson.
12:57pm • #16
1,518,993 Points 112 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

John:  Wait until I get nit-picky about pronunciation.  There is one word in particular that was drilled into my head in Broadcast Journalism class and it's misprnonounced constantly.  Any guesses what it is?
2:03pm • #17
JUL
12
981,695 Points 114 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

And my Mother would even go a step further with the "FREE" advertising.  She'd say "If it really was FREE, you wouldn't have to buy the box of soap to get it."  Something being advertised as FREE isn't really free if you have to buy whatever it is first, was my Mother's way of thinking  . . .
3:13pm • #18
1,518,993 Points 112 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Carla:  Your mother was right.
5:53pm • #19


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Chris Ann Cleland, Associate Broker, Northern VA

Bristow, VA

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Long & Foster REALTORS®, Gainesville, VA

Address: 7526 Limestone Drive, Gainesville, VA, 20155

Office Phone: (703) 402-0037

Cell Phone: (703) 402-0037

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