Which is preferred/correct in each set with the words cartful/cartf ull … basketful/basket full … cartload/cart load?
The shoplifter exited with a cartful of groceries.
The shoplifter exited with a cart full of groceries.
The shoplifter exited with a basketful of groceries.
The shoplifter exited with a basket full of groceries.
The shoplifter exited with a cartload of groceries.
The shoplifter exited with a cart load of groceries.
Thanks.
This is based purely on instinct… my preference is for cart full, basket full and cartload.
In the case of cart full and basket full, I think this places additional emphasis on the amount of goods the shoplifter was able to take.
Cartload I simply always see in my mind as a single word, though there is nothing grammatically wrong with the alternative.
Each is in the dictionary at OneLook.com.
cartload - the quantity that a cart holds
cartful - the quantity that a cart can hold
basketful – the quantity that a basket can hold