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> I know that you are adamantly opposed to the use of "you" but
> I still find it hard to believe that you consider these
> rewrites clearer and easier for the reader to comprehend than
> the original sentences.
>
> To each his or her own, I guess... Our styles are so
> different that it's probably a very good thing that we don't
> work at the same company as writer/ editor!
Craig Hass wrote:
> I'd have to agree entirely with Janice on this one, and I
> don't think this is just a matter of preference.
I agree completely with Janice and especially Craig. It's not just
preference or style. Case in point:
> "The IMD toolbar is displayed in the bottom left of the
> screen and it can be moved anywhere on the screen."
>
> Or "...and is movable anywhere..." for a slightly awkward
> avoidance of "can be," which may seem passive.
Sentences don't "seem passive" -- they either are or they aren't. A
sentence is in the passive voice when the subject of the sentence is the
object (or indirect object) of the action. Passive voice uses a form of
the verb "to be," generally followed by a past participle. Clearly,
"toolbar ... is displayed" and "toolbar ... can be moved" *are* passive
voice. Not because I have a "gut feeling," or a "sense," or they "seem"
passive, but because they _fit the definition_ of passive voice.
Words mean things. Not everything is a matter of taste or preference.
This isn't Through the Looking Glass.
Pedants 'r Us ;-)
Richard
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Richard G. Combs
Senior Technical Writer
Polycom, Inc.
richardDOTcombs AT polycomDOTcom
303-223-5111
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rgcombs AT gmailDOTcom
303-777-0436
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