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>From our styles and standards (and backed up by MMOS, Read Me First, and
a few others)
"because" vs. "since"
Use "because" to state a reason. Avoid since, unless you mean since time
has elapsed. Do not use "due to."
(Correct) Because the Customer field name is case-sensitive, you should
enter the Customer name exactly as shown.
(Correct) This project may take additional time because resources are
limited.
(Correct) The PowerSuite application saves everything since the last
backup.
(Incorrect) Since the Customer field name is case-sensitive, you should
enter the Customer name exactly as shown.
Tammy L. Van Boening
Senior Technical Writer
Fiserv Insurance Solutions
Property and Casualty Division
303-729-7733
tammy -dot- vanboening -at- fiserv -dot- com
***********************************************************************
Keep smiling, at least until you get your own way.
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+tammy -dot- vanboening=fiserv -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+tammy -dot- vanboening=fiserv -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com]
On Behalf Of Kimberly McClintock
Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2007 1:40 PM
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: usage question: since/because
Here's a sentence that appeared in a doc I'm editing:
This version also hides the properties attribute from JMX
<file:///Y:\users\docs\UnderReview\Kimberly\c3p0\0.9.1.1\jmx> access
since properties often contains password information.
I would have used 'because' instead of 'since'. (Possibly there is an
EVEN BETTER way to rewrite the sentence, but I'm editing here, not
writing so I don't want to do that.) I do, however, wonder if anyone
knows what's wrong - if anything - with using 'since' here. I looked it
up and it's apparently a legitimate alternative to 'because'...but it
doesn't 'sound' right to me...
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Create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to Help file formats or
printed documentation. Features include support for Windows Vista & 2007
Microsoft Office, team authoring, plus more. 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
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