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.
Douglas Thayer wrote to ask about two points of grammar/usage:
1. Many years of effort vs. many years of efforts: Both are correct
(in usage if not in grammar), but the first one seems more
grammatical. The reason as far as I can tell is that although more
than one effort undoubtedly occurred, the writer is talking about
effort per se; if you wanted to emphasize the various efforts, you'd
be better to recast the phrase "... has been achieved over many years,
due to [as a result of] the efforts of many people..."
2. Reciprocating _with_ our clients after many years of patronage:
This one is more problematic. I wouldn't use reciprocate at all in
this context. Better to say something like: "We'd like to reward our
clients for their many years of support". But if Boss is really stuck
on reciprocate, how about: "Our clients have been supportive for many
years; we'd like to reciprocate by..."
BTW, buy your Boss a "boss's day" card. If temperatures are flaring,
and your colleague is still employed, you've got an unusually
understanding boss.
--Geoff Hart #8^{)}
geoff-h -at- mtl -dot- feric -dot- ca
Disclaimer: These comments are my own and don't represent the opinions
of the Forest Engineering Research Institute of Canada.
