RE: A little respect for "unvalidated"

["McLauchlan, Kevin" <Kevin -dot- McLauchlan -at- safenet-inc -dot- com>]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: 
> techwr-l-bounces+kevin -dot- mclauchlan=safenet-inc -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr
-l.com [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+kevin.mclauchlan=safenet-> inc -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On Behalf Of Robert Lauriston
> Sent: Tuesday, September 22, 2009 12:29 PM
> To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
> Subject: Re: A little respect for "unvalidated"
> 
> Generally, in formal writing, you should not invent words, even if you
> are sure that the meaning would be clear. "Neologisms, or invented
> words, are to be used carefully and self-consciously. Usually they
> demand an explanation, since the English language is already well
> stocked."--Garner, "A Dictionary of Modern American Usage"
> 
> If "unvalidated" is used to mean "not validated," it might not confuse
> anyone, but outside of the specialized fields where it's ubiquitous
> jargon, it's inappropriate.
> 
> The dictionary is by no means always the last word. However, when I'm
> considering using an extradictionarial word in formal writing, I use
> Google and other search tools to verify that such usage is indeed
> common. For example, Google finds 1.1 million hits for "not validated"
> but only 216,000 for "unvalidated," and skimming the latter makes it
> clear that the usage is common only in certain linguistic niches.

Does Google (or your use of it in this case) compare apples with apples?

"Unvalidated" looks like an adjective to me.

Were the "not validated" hits confined to adjectival use?

If not, then I can readily see why there'd be lots more hits, but I wouldn't consider the comparison... er... valid.


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