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: I solicit your HELP (etc.) From:"Hillary M. Russak" <hrussak -at- SLAC -dot- STANFORD -dot- EDU> Date:Wed, 15 Apr 1998 08:38:50 -0700
From _Elements of Technical Writing_, Blake and Bly:
_Etc._ is fine when used in a sentence in which the reader can predict its
meaning: "Let's discuss even numbers, like 2, 4, 6, etc." Often though, it
is a lazy way out of a thought (e.g., "Go to the laboratory and get me a
bunsen burner, flask, etc.").
I agree.
-hil
At 02:27 PM 4/14/98 -0500, Mitman, Rikki wrote:
>Speaking for my own persnickety self, I'd be glad to see the trend for
>acronyms and abbreviations reversed. What's wrong with spelling things out?
>
>(Oh, please no lectures on common usage. I'm just opining here.)
>
>Rikki Mitman, Tech Writer
>ECG Technology Communications
>
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Parker, Cassandra M. (EXCH) [SMTP:CMPARKER -at- INTERMEDIA -dot- COM]
>> Sent: Tuesday, April 14, 1998 2:29 PM
>> To: TECHWR-L -at- LISTSERV -dot- OKSTATE -dot- EDU
>> Subject: I solicit your HELP (etc.)
>>
>> Hello All,
>>
>> Could you, my trusty List friends, help me with this one.
>>
>> What is the appropriate usage of the word etc.
>>
>> For example:
>>
>> 1. When it is in the middle of a sentence, should a comma follow it?
>>
>>
>> 2. When etc. is at the end of a sentence and the sentence ends with a
>> question mark or a period, how do you handle this?
>>
>>
>> 3. When etc. is at the end of a sentence but in parentheses, what would
>> you do here:
>> (computers, printers, scanners, etc.). OR
>> (computers, printers, scanners, etc.)
>>
>>
>> I have seen the usage of this little acronym in so many different forms
>> that now I am confused.
>>
>> Thanks for your help.
>>
>> Cassie
>>
>> ~
>>
>
>
>
>
>
---------------------------
Hillary M. Russak
Technical Writer
Stanford Linear Accelerator Center
(650) 926-3193
Pager (650)849-9483
hrussak -at- slac -dot- stanford -dot- edu
