[Author Prev][Author Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next]
[Author Index (this month)][Thread Index (this month)][Top of Archive]

Re: Singular or Plural?

Subject: Re: Singular or Plural?
From: Janice Gelb <janice -dot- gelb -at- sun -dot- com>
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Date: Tue, 13 Feb 2007 07:18:58 +1100

Kevin McLauchlan wrote:

On Behalf Of Janice Gelb wrote

"The group provides high-level analyses and technical assistance..."
"The group provides high-level analysis and technical assistance..."

Even if it is a correct plural formation,
"analyses" is going to look like a typo
to most people. And I don't think this
construction works anyway: "assistance"
can be used without an accompanying
explanation but "analysis" begs the
question: "analysis" of *what*?

I'd rewrite it to answer that question:

"The group provides high-level analysis of
internal specifications and technical assistance..."

Well then, if you want to get _picky_... :-)

I would insert a comma after "specifications", so that the sentence says that the group provides two things - analysis(es) and assistance.

Otherwise, your version says to me that the group analyzes internal specifications, and analyzes technical assistance. Hmm?

<I'll take my comma dispenser and go hide somewhere now.>


I was assuming that the ellipses after "technical
assistance" meant there was more text after that
to qualify what the assistance was. Of course,
I added the "of internal specifications" part,
which was not part of the original text.

-- Janice
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or printed documentation. Features include single source authoring, team authoring,
Web-based technology, and PDF output. http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList

Now shipping: Help &amp; Manual 4 with RoboHelp(r) import! New editor,
full Unicode support. Create help files, web-based help and PDF in up
to 106 languages with Help &amp; Manual: http://www.helpandmanual.com

---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- infoinfocus -dot- com -dot-
To unsubscribe send a blank email to techwr-l-unsubscribe -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
or visit http://lists.techwr-l.com/mailman/options/techwr-l/archive%40infoinfocus.com


To subscribe, send a blank email to techwr-l-join -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com

Send administrative questions to admin -at- techwr-l -dot- com -dot- Visit
http://www.techwr-l.com/techwhirl/ for more resources and info.

References:
RE: Singular or Plural?: From: Kevin McLauchlan

Previous by Author: Re: Singular or Plural?
Next by Author: Re: The 'user' in User Manual
Previous by Thread: RE: Singular or Plural?
Next by Thread: RE: Singular or Plural?

[Top of Archive] | [Author Index (this month)] | [Thread Index (this month)]

What this post helpful? Share it with friends and colleagues:

Sponsored Ads