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RE: Use of word "reference" when cross referencing
Subject:RE: Use of word "reference" when cross referencing From:"Wright, Lynne" <Lynne -dot- Wright -at- Kronos -dot- com> To:Slager Timothy J <Timothy -dot- Slager -at- dematic -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 13:23:10 +0000
Readers would know what "reference" used in that context meant though, so I would consider it acceptable (but not preferred) usage.
Dictionaries are generally a bit behind with regards to how people actually use words in everyday speech, and grammarians who insist on strict adherence to outdated rules outta loosen up a little, IMO.
I mean, the rules say you're not supposed to end a sentence in a preposition, but that doesn't reflect the reality of how people talk and write these days. So whereas "Select the folder to which data will be sent" may be grammatically correct, I'd NEVER write it that way, because it sounds too formal and antiquated. I'd use "Select the folder that data will be sent to."
In any case, I'd say that the grammatical argument is moot, since any wiggling of grammatical rules is overridden by the prime directive of simplicity.
-----Original Message-----
From: Slager Timothy J <Timothy -dot- Slager -at- dematic -dot- com>
Sent: Wednesday, August 15, 2018 8:59 AM
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>
Subject: RE: Use of word "reference" when cross referencing
@ 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Using "reference" as a verb is grammatically correct; but to me, its too formal, clunky, and outdated.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.
