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Subject:Re: "May" vs. "Can" From:Ken Gross <candk -at- HOOKED -dot- NET> Date:Sat, 12 Aug 1995 23:03:18 -0700
On 12 Aug 1995, Sue Heim wrote:
> Hey folks! I need your collective opinion...
> How do you feel about using "may" or "can" in docs and marketing
> collaterals. For example, I really don't like the following sentence
> (this is from a brochure of ours):
I vote for "can."
> "Author reprint request cards may be generated, and references can be
> output in a variety of formats."
This is the MOST passive sentence I've ever read! It screams for a "you
can" or at least a "one can!"
> Unfortunately, our marketing stuff is done by committee, and although
This last contains the operative word: marketing!! My condolences.