RE: "do not do x" vs "never do x"

["Butler, Darren J CTR USAF AFMC 584 CBSS/GBHAC" <Darren -dot- Butler -dot- ctr -at- Robins -dot- af -dot- mil>]

Words such as "never" are included in Warning statements. If the
prohibited action is something that will produce an adverse result ANY
and EVERY time that it is preformed, then use negatives such as "never"
or "under no condiion should you...." This also may include "right-tool,
wrong-time or wrong-job' situations. As Victoria has pointed-out, time
is a factor.

    Ex: "If animal is not heavily sedated, NEVER use the Model D-1P Bear
proctology kit " or " AT NO TIME should the operator use an H3-lp road
flare to check the level of the fuel tank"

 Phrases such as "Do not" or "Must Not" may be either be a Caution
statement, or a Warning. Time-in these cases-may be more conditional.

   Ex: "DO NOT use the D-1p until the bear is comatose" or "Driver MUST
NOT ignite road flares unless he/she has exited  and cleared the
vehicle"

As Gene pointed-out, Warning statements should ALWAYS.......;^).......be
highlighted in such a way that draws attention to itself and further
emphasizes the statement.


Darren J Butler

-----Original Message-----
From:
techwr-l-bounces+darren -dot- butler -dot- ctr=robins -dot- af -dot- mil -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+darren -dot- butler -dot- ctr=robins -dot- af -dot- mil -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- 
com] On Behalf Of Milan Davidovic
Sent: Wednesday, June 25, 2008 2:02 PM
To: TECHWR-L
Subject: "do not do x" vs "never do x"

Of the two ways of telling someone not to do something:

- Do not <do x>.

- Never <do x>.

how do you choose which to use?

-- 
Milan Davidovic
http://altmilan.blogspot.com
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