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.
I think MW's solution is the most appropriate. All Madhavan has to do is to
simply insert a comma separating the pairs. That would bring a lot of
clarity to the sentence and convey the exact meaning the writer has in mind.
>From the look of it, that is what he wishes to convey - the pairing of the
start and end dates and times.
God bless punctuations.
Have a nice day,
Regards
-------------------------
Badri Narayanan
Satyam Computer Services Limited,
Chennai
Ph: 8206120
Extn: 5812
You live and learn...and I have learnt to express no opinion but mine.
-----Original Message-----
From: Michael West [mailto:mike -dot- west -at- oz -dot- quest -dot- com]
Sent: Friday, April 26, 2002 11:47 AM
To: TECHWR-L
Subject: Re: "and" Usage
I'm not sure the word "correct" is applicable here. "Correct"
is whatever communicates your meaning accurately to the
intended audience, and we know neither your intended
meaning nor your intended audience.
In standard written English we usually substitute commas
for all conjunctions but the last in a series like that, as in
your first example.
But I can think of a situation in which you might want to write,
"Start Date and Start Time, and End Date and End Time",
referring to two separate pairs of entities. Note the comma
inserted between the pairs.
If you're feeling adventurous, you could submit your query
to alt.usage.english or alt.english.usage and see what
happens. Sometimes you get interesting perspectives on
Old Norse verb inflections, and sometimes you get cookie
recipes.
--
MW
**************************************************************************
This email (including any attachments) is intended for the sole use of the
intended recipient/s and may contain material that is CONFIDENTIAL AND
PRIVATE COMPANY INFORMATION. Any review or reliance by others or copying or
distribution or forwarding of any or all of the contents in this message is
STRICTLY PROHIBITED. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact
the sender by email and delete all copies; your cooperation in this regard
is appreciated.
**************************************************************************
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Free copy of ARTS PDF Tools when you register for the PDF
Conference by April 30. Leading-Edge Practices for Enterprise
& Government, June 3-5, Bethesda,MD. www.PDFConference.com
Are you using Doc-to-Help or ForeHelp? Switch to RoboHelp for Word for $249
or to RoboHelp Office for only $499. Get the PC Magazine five-star rated
Help authoring tool for less! Go to http://www.ehelp.com/techwr
---
You are currently subscribed to techwr-l as: archive -at- raycomm -dot- com
To unsubscribe send a blank email to leave-techwr-l-obscured -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com
Send administrative questions to ejray -at- raycomm -dot- com -dot- Visit http://www.raycomm.com/techwhirl/ for more resources and info.
