RE: "and then," or simply "then"?

["Bonnie Granat" <bgranat -at- granatedit -dot- com>]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: 
> techwr-l-bounces+bgranat=granatedit -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com 
> [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+bgranat=granatedit -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l
> .com] On Behalf Of Tom Johnson
> Sent: Monday, September 22, 2008 5:50 PM
> To: Combs, Richard; techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> Subject: Re: "and then," or simply "then"?


> *In the imperative mood, as in how-to steps, then is OK without the
> conjunction.*
> 
> Insert the CD, then install the printer software.
> 

It is this one that is precisely the construction that the original poster
asked about. And this is the one that is unquestionably unacceptable if one
is intending to write grammatical American English.

Such a construction is using "then" as a conjunction, and that is what makes
it wrong. It is never going to be right. "Then" is not a conjunction. 

Anyone who's writing for Apple presently could diplomatically advise them of
this fact. If I were, I would certainly do so. It is apparent that its style
guide was not prepared by a competent editor.

Bonnie Granat
http://www.GranatEdit.com


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