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Actually, I switched from "It is best to..." to "We recommend..."
I'm going for personal authority here.
If you recommend something, say so.
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+ccardimon=m-s-g -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+ccardimon=m-s-g -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On Behalf Of Porrello, Leonard
Sent: vendredi 3 février 2012 10:33
To: 'Dan Goldstein'; techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: RE: WRONG!..... -ish?
"We recommend" puts too much weight on the personal authority of the speaker. Instead, I prefer using statements that are, at least in appearance, more objective. For example, "It is best to use a text editor (such as Notepad)."
I also agree with those that prefer the use of an imperative, such as this: "Do not remove the covers that are installed at the factory as removal of the covers may cause...."
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+lporrello=illumina -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+lporrello=illumina -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On Behalf Of Dan Goldstein
Sent: Friday, February 03, 2012 5:33 AM
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: RE: WRONG!..... -ish?
What if the consequences aren't dire? Many of us use "recommend" when we think an action is preferable but we acknowledge that it might not matter to the reader.
"We recommend using a text editor (such as Notepad). If you use a word processor (such as Word), unwanted formatting items might be copied into the string value."
-----Original Message-----
From: kcbillb2
Sent: Friday, February 03, 2012 4:32 AM
To: McLauchlan, Kevin
Cc: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: Re: WRONG!..... -ish?
Speaking as a techwriter... NEVER use the word "recommend" or the phrase "we recommend".
Seriously...:)
Instead, use "Do not remove," and then explain what dire consequences will occur if they do that...
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