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RE: Use of word "reference" when cross referencing
Subject:RE: Use of word "reference" when cross referencing From:Slager Timothy J <Timothy -dot- Slager -at- dematic -dot- com> To:"Wright, Lynne" <Lynne -dot- Wright -at- Kronos -dot- com>, Lin Sims <ljsims -dot- ml -at- gmail -dot- com>, TECHWR-L <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com> Date:Wed, 15 Aug 2018 12:58:57 +0000
@ Lynne
"Reference" as a verb is grammatically correct, but it means something else, according to Merriam-Webster. It means to supply references or to cite as a reference, not "refer to." If you have a source that says otherwise, I think Lin would like you to cite it. Out of curiosity, so would I.
tims
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+timothy -dot- slager=dematic -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+timothy -dot- slager=dematic -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On Behalf Of Wright, Lynne
Sent: Wednesday, August 15, 2018 8:49 AM
To: Lin Sims; TECHWR-L
Subject: RE: Use of word "reference" when cross referencing
Using "reference" as a verb is grammatically correct; but to me, its too formal, clunky, and outdated.
Why say "reference section x for more information" when "see section x for details"; or even just "see section x" is less formal/more modern, and complies with the tech writing principle of "shorter and simpler is better"?
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+lynne -dot- wright=kronos -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com <techwr-l-bounces+lynne -dot- wright=kronos -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com> On Behalf Of Lin Sims
Sent: Tuesday, August 14, 2018 5:34 PM
To: TECHWR-L <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Subject: Use of word "reference" when cross referencing
Has anyone seen any manual that uses the word "reference" when referring to material that is in another location? As in, "Reference section <section
name> for more information."
I was taught to use "See section <section name> for more information." when the information is in the same document, and to use "Refer to <document
name>" when the information is external to the document.
Every time I see "Reference <section name>", I come to a screeching halt.
My co-worker insists this is proper usage, but I just can't get my mind around it.
References (heh) to correct usage would be appreciated. I've been looking but so far I can't find ANYTHING that addresses this.
