TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
But I thought I said, "So being aware there might be a problem ending a
sentence with a preposition is a good thing." I didn't think I said it
was correct or incorrect, just that awareness that an issue exists is a
good and positive thing.
However, to address Mr. Churchill's quote, "That is the type of arrant
pedantry up with which I shall not put," didn't PM Churchill get it
wrong? Isn't "put up with" a phrasal verb, and isn't the phrase "up
with" and adverbial participle and actually not a preposition?
For discussion, anyway.
Cheers,
Sean
Who also teaches at a 4-year uni.
________________________________
From: Pro TechWriter [mailto:pro -dot- techwriter -at- gmail -dot- com]
Sent: Friday, February 16, 2007 3:42 PM
To: Brierley, Sean
Cc: TECHWR-L
Subject: Re: Writing test Fridays
Well, like I said the first time, I beg to differ. Ending a sentence
with a preposition is not "wrong," although it is commonly believed that
it is.
Quoted directly from the Chicago Manual of Style Online:
5.169Ending a sentence with a preposition
The traditional caveat of yesteryear against ending sentences with
prepositions is, for most writers, an unnecessary and pedantic
restriction. As Winston Churchill famously said, "That is the type of
arrant pedantry up with which I shall not put. " A sentence that ends in
a preposition may sound more natural than a sentence carefully
constructed to avoid a final preposition. Compare Those are the
guidelines an author should adhere to with Those are the guidelines to
which an author should adhere. The "rule" prohibiting terminal
prepositions was an ill-founded superstition.
Happy President's Day!
PT
(Past College Technical Writing Teacher, Editor, Teaching Assistant and
English 101 Tutor)
On 2/16/07, Brierley, Sean <Sean -dot- Brierley -at- ipc -dot- com> wrote:
Well, recasting the phrase wouldn't hurt, "We want to see your
best, so
as you work, keep in mind we are looking for the following
qualities:."
On principle, I wouldn't mind if more tech writers were a little
more
grounded in grammar. Seriously. So being aware there might be a
problem
ending a sentence with a preposition is a good thing, the next
step,
obviously, is to learn what to do next.
Cheers,
Sean
DISCLAIMER:
Important Notice *************************************************
This e-mail may contain information that is confidential, privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure. If you are not an intended recipient of this e-mail, do not duplicate or redistribute it by any means. Please delete it and any attachments and notify the sender that you have received it in error. Unintended recipients are prohibited from taking action on the basis of information in this e-mail.E-mail messages may contain computer viruses or other defects, may not be accurately replicated on other systems, or may be intercepted, deleted or interfered with without the knowledge of the sender or the intended recipient. If you are not comfortable with the risks associated with e-mail messages, you may decide not to use e-mail to communicate with IPC. IPC reserves the right, to the extent and under circumstances permitted by applicable law, to retain, monitor and intercept e-mail messages to and from its systems.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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 & 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 & Manual: http://www.helpandmanual.com
---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- infoinfocus -dot- com -dot-
