Re: Preposition at Beginning or End?

[linda_sims -at- vanguard -dot- com]

Keith Hansen wrote on 04/19/2007 12:18:17 PM:

> Which sentence do you prefer:
> Sentence No. 1: "From the Country drop-down list, select USA."
> Sentence No. 2: "Select USA from the Country drop-down list."
> 
> To me, the first example is more logical: first, you tell them where to
> go, then you tell them what to do. However, the second example is more
> conversational (resembles spoken English).
> 
> Please vote for No. 1 or No. 2. Please include a reason for your
> preference. I REALLY would like to see if there is any consensus here.
> 
> ALSO: Consider this sentence:
> * "Click in the Name text box and type your name."
> I would never write this sentence:
> * "In the Name text box, click and type your name."
> 
> It sounds totally wrong to begin with a preposition here--but not so
> wrong in Sentence No. 1 above. Why?
> 
> Thanks everyone!
> 
> Keith

I'd go for #1, also, because like you, I've found "Tell them where to 
look, then tell them what to do" to be a logical sequence that's easy to 
follow. In my case, I've standardized my phrasing as:

In the <<name of field>> field, select <<item>> using the dropdown list.

and

In the <<name of field>>, enter <<information description>>.

Lin Sims
The views expressed here are mine and do not reflect the official opinion 
of my employer or the organization through which the Internet was 
accessed.

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