RE: Writing for a particular audience

["Jonathan West" <jwest -at- mvps -dot- org>]

>
> Hi,
> I ran into 'precise' used as verb today. The usage is, "I can precise
> the installation date and time, but, I can't precise the usage
> charges further back than 3 months ago." Really, now. I gather that
> the term is in wide use at Bell Sympatico call centres in Ottawa and
> Toronto, Canada. Any others? If this keeps up I'll have to start
> referring to myself as a procedurer or a texter. What illiterati are
> setting our standards?

That is a common mistake made by French speakers when talking or writing
technical English. They are thinking of the word preciser, which means to
specify, and assuming that the English word precise can be used as a verb
with the same meaning.

Regards
Jonathan West


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