Re: Preposition at Beginning or End?

Subject: Re: Preposition at Beginning or End?
From: Michelle Vina-Baltsas <Michelle_Vina-Baltsas -at- datascope -dot- com>
To: "Keith Hansen" <KRH -at- weiland-wfg -dot- com>
Date: Thu, 19 Apr 2007 12:46:58 -0400

I struggle with this all the time. I was always taught that you should
tell them where to go before telling them what to do, especially if it
could harm. I've recently changed my mind about this because I haven't
seen many other professional manuals using this methodology. I'm writing a
manual now and have begun with "Click XYZ button from the ABC menu,
etc..." instead of the reverse, which I had used for years. We'll see how
it goes.

Thank you,
Michelle Vina-Baltsas
Technical Writer
Datascope Corporation, Patient Monitoring
201.995.8350
michelle_vina-baltsas -at- datascope -dot- com



"Keith Hansen" <KRH -at- weiland-wfg -dot- com>
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04/19/2007 12:18 PM

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Subject
Preposition at Beginning or End?






Which sentence do you prefer:
Sentence No. 1: "From the Country drop-down list, select USA."
Sentence No. 2: "Select USA from the Country drop-down list."

To me, the first example is more logical: first, you tell them where to
go, then you tell them what to do. However, the second example is more
conversational (resembles spoken English).

Please vote for No. 1 or No. 2. Please include a reason for your
preference. I REALLY would like to see if there is any consensus here.

ALSO: Consider this sentence:
* "Click in the Name text box and type your name."
I would never write this sentence:
* "In the Name text box, click and type your name."

It sounds totally wrong to begin with a preposition here--but not so
wrong in Sentence No. 1 above. Why?

Thanks everyone!

Keith

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References:
Preposition at Beginning or End?: From: Keith Hansen

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