Re: Contractions in general

[Marci Abels <maa5906 -at- CCP -dot- COM>]

>Date: Thu, 27 Jun 1996 05:48:02
>To: Primrose-Smith Steven Peter <SMITH -at- PCMES -dot- AVL -dot- CO -dot- AT>
>From: Marci Abels <maa5906 -at- CCP -dot- COM>
>Subject: Re: Contractions in general

>At 08:45 AM 6/27/96 W, you wrote:
>>Since this list has recently talked the its and it's thing to death, I
>>wondered
>>what the list's opinion was about using contractions in general.  I've
>>talked to
>>people who swear by them and others who consider them grammatically
>>incorrect.  I like to use contractions to make the text flow more easily and
>>to give the document a more informal, relaxed tone.  What do you think?
>>
>>Steven Primrose-Smith

>We don't use contractions for that very reason. Of course, we aren't
documenting software, which can make a big difference. Software docs can be
less formal and still get the message across, in fact, I prefer a less
formal style when I'm reading software docs. But I'm doing manuals on
operating, maintaining and installing heavy equipment for the utility
industry. I don't think George wants to have a breezy note on how to reverse
the hydraulic flow  in order to lower the personnel platform when he's stuck
up there tangled up in high voltage wires and the machine just lost all power.

>Our mannuals are written with a very dry tone, humor is verboten, and we
don't even try to lighten the tone. Everything is done with directive
language, contractions are out and it's all extremely dry.

> Sure gets boring sometimes...


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Marci Abels                                       maa5906 -at- smartnet -dot- net
Many of the insights of the saint stem from his experience as a sinner.
                -Elbert Hubbard

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