Addressing precision of language in a technical writing blog is easy because a great many instances of its use in specific word choices abound. Two posts ago I examined the need to replace the word so with a more precise word where possible. In the last week I examined another such vague construction — such that. In this post I’m discussing an especially inappropriate use of the word such.
Here we see another example of the distinction between spoken and written English. When spoken, the word such finds acceptance as a pronoun even though it’s an adjective. However, this use is colloquial.
Thus, more effective technical writers will replace such with a more appropriate word when needing a pronoun. This means the writer should revise the example sentence in the cropped graphic above.
Here we see another example of the distinction between spoken and written English. When spoken, the word such finds acceptance as a pronoun even though it’s an adjective. However, this use is colloquial.
Thus, more effective technical writers will replace such with a more appropriate word when needing a pronoun. This means the writer should revise the example sentence in the cropped graphic above.
Our procedure does not use traditional welding practices, and we do not anticipate it will ever use any.
It’s very common in speech to employ informal constructs. But more effective technical writing demands that writers avoid informality. So if you want more effective technical writing, use such as an adjective, not a pronoun. More precise language means a better presentation of your message to your audience, and that will leave them with a better impression of both you and your brands.
And now this blog post leaves 2016 as another good year for words by kurt. Merry Christmas to all, and may the goodness of this season bless you and yours always. See you next year!
And now this blog post leaves 2016 as another good year for words by kurt. Merry Christmas to all, and may the goodness of this season bless you and yours always. See you next year!
RSS Feed