RE: Re: Dorky grammar question

["Gene Kim-Eng" <techwr -at- genek -dot- com>]

If the original poster is using "set of rules that define" 
to describe rules that are not required *as a set* (that
is, the entire set), then I would argue that is is indeed "as complicated as some are making it," because it is
ambiguous.  "Set of rules" (singular) should only be used 
to describe rules that are required as a set; otherwise, 
the phrase should just be "rules that define" (plural),
and the writer had better go on to specify that each rule defines a different aspect of whatever is being written
about.  The misuse of two measly words can result in a
change in meaning that may confuse the hell out of a user
and result in another preventable support center call.

Gene Kim-Eng


------- Original Message -------
On Fri, 13 Aug 2004 13:41:20 -0700  wrote:


I don't think it's as complicated as some are making it.  Look at the whole 
sentence, understand the nature of the widget being defined and the rules 
(or set of rules) defining it, and the answer will leap out at you.


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