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:Re: Use of "shall" From:Barb Ostapina <Barb -dot- Ostapina -at- METROMAIL -dot- COM> Date:Fri, 30 Jan 1998 14:18:57 -0500
While we're on the subject of word usage (and I don't know if this will be
considered to be in or out of list rule boundaries but it's been bothering
me for some time, and more so since I've become a tech writer)...
What do you all think about the use of "wish" vs. "want" as in "If you wish
to xyz..." It seems so, well, like wishing on a star to me. What's wrong
with "If you want to xyz..."? How did the wish thing come about? Am I the
only one driven nuts by it?
--B
barb -dot- ostapina -at- metromail -dot- com