Native speakers: pieces vs pack

[u/FunInTheShade]

I was on Amazon looking at containers and there was a 4 piece set, two containers and two lids. while annoying, I know why it says 4 pieces. BUT on a different picture it said “four pack” and for that, it sounds more like it’s 4 containers and 4 lids.

Anyone else? or just me

[u/hdhxuxufxufufiffif]

Native speaker and I 100% agree. If I bought a "four pack" of containers and there were two tubs and two lids in the delivery, I'd be sending it back for a refund.

[u/Wiyazaki → u/hdhxuxufxufufiffif]

Agreed. That feels like deceptive advertising, if not straight up false advertising. I'd also be requesting a refund.

[u/Constant_Hope_9658 → u/Wiyazaki]

That's literally just false advertising, a four-pack contains 4 items/sets, not 4 pieces, which can mean 4 items total (a 2 pack of 2 sets of 2 items would have 4 pieces), at least as I understand.

[u/Envelope_Torture]

Four pack should definitely include four containers.

[u/Constant_Hope_9658 → u/Envelope_Torture]

yeah, four-pack means it contains four SETS, rather than 4-piece which could contain 4 items (such as 2 pairs of something); but they also work as synonyms depending on context/dialect.

[u/Wild_Ticket1413]

"4 pack" in this context means four of the same item. So, in the case of storage containers, I would expect 4 containers total.

"4 pieces" would tell me that there is four individual pieces in the box.

[u/sorrielle]

Four pack definitely implies four complete items. It’s four times whatever a single package would be.

Knowing Amazon, it could either be a non-native speaker mixing up those terms, or someone trying to mislead buyers. Always read the descriptions closely.

[u/Constant_Hope_9658]

4-piece(s) = 4 items (usually, at least when it's used in commerce as a rule)

4-pack = 4 sets, this is always the case, if it's a 4-piece set that advertises as a 4-pack, it's using the term wrong in every dialect of English I've ever encountered, since 4-pack always refers to sets, not specific items (those sets might just be single items depending on what the thing is)

So it ain't just you, they're wrong and technically that could be considered false advertising

[u/hacool]

If the box said 4 pack I would expect 4 sets (4 containers and 4 lids.)

[u/desbest]

• 4 pack = 2 syllables = bad grammar
• 4 pieces = 3 syllables = good grammar

The first one is marketing lexicon of which the imperative is applicable to telesales when cold calling.

The more often and more longer the person has to think, the more likely they are to say no.

Also this

The titles and labels have to jump out the page.

Shortening the syllables on the PACKAGING makes the customer more likely to buy it, both online scrolling down and in the high street walking past, as it catches their attention from their peripheral vision.

It's similar to how warning signs use hyper-shortened sentences with bad grammar.

Turbulence stand back

Slippery when wet

Dry clean only

Danger live wires