TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
-----Original Message-----
From: Tony Chung
Sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2011 11:36 AM
To: TECHWR-L
Subject: Bellow about below!
Today the STC sent an email with a survey from one of it's vendor
partners.
The message said:
"*The deadline for the below survey...*"
And my first thought was to delete the message. In my understanding of
the English language, while "below" can be used as an adjective, it's
placement in the sentence usually implies a preposition.
Forgive me if we've discussed this before. I just find it strange that
the STC wouldn't ensure correct usage before sending messages on behalf
of a partner.
BTW: I found on the Net 2 problems with the above construct (Yeah I know
it's weird that I give "the above" special privilege):
1) The word "below" used as a noun the end of a sentence implies a
subject; therefore "the below" cannot take on an object.
2) Below implies positional placement that cannot be guaranteed in
published media. Being a visual presentation, it doesn't make sense to
use the word in speech. So it carries other complications besides just
being wrong.
Thanks for allowing me to vent during my commute.
This message contains confidential information intended only for the use of the addressee(s). If you are not the addressee, or the person responsible for delivering it to the addressee, you are hereby notified that reading, disseminating, distributing, copying, electronic storing or the taking of any action in reliance on the contents of this message is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message by mistake, please notify us, by replying to the sender, and delete the original message immediately thereafter. Thank you.
Create and publish documentation through multiple channels with Doc-To-Help.
Choose your authoring formats and get any output you may need. Try
Doc-To-Help, now with MS SharePoint integration, free for 30-days. http://www.doctohelp.com
---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- web -dot- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-