Re: "either"

["Virginia L. Krenn" <asdxvlk -at- OKWAY -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU>]

     Your rewrite is much better. But, if your co-workers prevail, then a
     second verb should be used as follows.

     "Entries either are alphanumeric strings (such as usernames or
     passwords) or are a choice between several preset strings (such as
     enabled or disabled)."

     ___________________________ Reply Separator _________________________
     Subject: "either"
     Author:  "Osmundo R. Fernandez" <fernao -at- RPI -dot- EDU> at SMTP Date:
     1/18/95 5:44 PM


     The following sentence has caused some debate among my fellow writers:

     "Entries either are alphanumeric strings, such as usernames or
     passwords; or a c hoice between several preset strings, such as
     enabled or disabled."

     The debate stems from the placement of the word "either." I believe
     that the sen tence reads better as follows:

     "Entries are either alphanumeric strings...."

     What's more important grammatical exactness or readability?

     P.S. I met with the "populate" argument from last week. Thanks for all
     your grea t comments. I've saved and printed all of them. :-)

     Ray