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.
Subject:That which doesn't kill you . . . From:"USA::SOM24502" <SOM24502%USA -dot- decnet -at- USAV01 -dot- GLAXO -dot- COM> Date:Fri, 16 Dec 1994 14:05:00 EST
Hello All:
It amazes me when people ask whether some grammatical rule or another
matters,usually using the logic "the users don't know and/or don't care."
Of course they don't know/don't care. That's why they need _you_, as the
technical writer. Knowledge of these grammatical rules (and there aren't
that many of them either) is part of your expertise. It's part of what
you are selling.
When you question the legitimacy of proper English, you are undermining
your own career. Furthermore, if you write "like the users would," you
become a follower, not a leader. Learn them and use them. Teach them when
necessary.
