Re: Grammar Q

[Tim Mantyla <TimMantyla -at- nustep -dot- com>]

It does seem that some people have a hard and fast rule about not using 
"you." English is such a mongrel (or muttly, mutt-like or muttish?) 
language that there appears to be an exception to *every* rule. 

I make it a hard and fast rule never to follow hard and fast rules.  ;-)

Tim

Suggestions below: 

> From: louise -dot- r -dot- stevanovic -at- transport -dot- qld -dot- gov -dot- au
> Subject: Re: Grammar Q

> I appreciated the discussion about the merits, or otherwise, of using 
'you'
> in documentation. I had a similar discussion (okay, argument) with a 
fellow

<snip>

> I'd be interested to hear how those of you who never use 'you' would 
reword
> sentences that provide options, reminders or information rather than
> imperatives, such as the following:
>          You will be prompted to update the document history whenever 
you
>          save the document as a new version.

Update the document history when saving the document as a new version.
[insert image of prompt for clarity]

>          The IMD toolbar is displayed in the bottom left of the screen. 
You
>          can move it anywhere on the screen.

(Here I would reword the passive voice in first sentence to "The IMD 
toolbar displays at the screen's bottom left."  Then keep the second as 
is. I have no problem using "you" where it is appropriate and simple to 
understand.)

>          If you insert captions, remember to update the lists under the
>          Figures and Tables headings.

Update the lists under the Figures and Tables headings when inserting 
captions.

> Louise Stevanovic
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