Re: Usage question - "... un-initialized state" or "... an uninitialized state"

Subject: Re: Usage question - "... un-initialized state" or "... an uninitialized state"
From: Chris Morton <salt -dot- morton -at- gmail -dot- com>
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Date: Wed, 10 Oct 2012 09:36:31 -0700

I want to know why in the world you want to hyphenate uninitialize,
regardless of what M$ Word thinks of this word choice.

> Chris

On Wed, Oct 10, 2012 at 8:47 AM, Lynne Wright
<Lynne -dot- Wright -at- tiburoninc -dot- com>wrote:

> I can appreciate why the reviewer would feel that it sounds wrong without
> the "an"; I agree with them.
>
> I don't think it implies that there are multiple un-initialized states...
> I think you're overthinking that one.
>
> As a compromise, you could use "... deliver the product in its
> un-initialized state."
>
> p.s. I've also gotta say that the usage of "wish" is a pet peeve with me.
> It sounds too old-fashioned and emotive. Microsoft Manual of Tech Writing
> also specifies using "want" instead. Anybody else with me on this?
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: techwr-l-bounces+lynne -dot- wright=tiburoninc -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com[mailto:
> techwr-l-bounces+lynne -dot- wright=tiburoninc -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On
> Behalf Of McLauchlan, Kevin
> Sent: Wednesday, October 10, 2012 11:32 AM
> To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> Subject: Usage question - "... un-initialized state" or "... an
> uninitialized state"
>
> The statement in the docs is: "You might wish to deliver the product in
> un-initialized state."
>
> One reviewer wants that to say: "You might wish to deliver the product in
> AN un-initialized state."
>
> My objection to that version is that it suggests/implies that there is
> more than one un-initialized state.
>
> With respect to initialization, there are two states - initialized and
> un-initialized. There are no sub-categories under un-initialized, and no
> grey areas. It is or it ain't.
>
> What say you language mavens?
>
>
>
> -k
>
>
>
>
>
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Follow-Ups:

References:
Usage question - "... un-initialized state" or "... an uninitialized state": From: McLauchlan, Kevin
RE: Usage question - "... un-initialized state" or "... an uninitialized state": From: Lynne Wright

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