It's a "given"!

[Butler, Darren J Ctr 584 CBSS/GBHAC]

On 20-Sep-07 @12:23:13 PM Darren J Butler wrote:

 

>Same goes for "existing", "selected", "current"...<

Precisely - Unless you intend to differentiate between two or more things that are available.

 

Ex: "To edit a selected account........." When you mean only the accounts that are checked, highlighted etc. 

 

First thing is to determine if the original writer was trying to generalize ("any old book") or particularize ("that old book"). In speech, people use the phrase "a given"  both ways - it all depends on the vocal inflection. In writing, it only serves to confuse.

 

Blessings,

Darren

 

****************************************

Darren J. Butler

Sr. Technical Writer-Editor, Template Wrangler, Mil-Spec Pharisee

Integrated Data for Maintenance

NG Corp

 

-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+darren.butler.ctr=robins.af.mil at lists.techwr-l.com [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+darren.butler.ctr=robins.af.mil at lists.techwr-l.com] On Behalf Of Yves JEAUROND
Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2007 11:45 AM
To: TECHWR-L at lists.techwr-l.com
Subject: RE: It's a "given"!

 

Same goes for "existing", "selected", "current"... and

other redundant terms that insistingly restate an object's being.

   

  It's mighty hard to edit an account that isn't  :-)

   

  Regards,

   

  YJ

 

"Wilhelm, Joel" <jwilhelm at athenati.com> a écrit :

  "3. If it is possible to cut out a word, always cut it out." - George

Orwell

 

 

-----Original Message-----

From: techwr-l-bounces+jwilhelm=athenati.com at lists.techwr-l.com

[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+jwilhelm=athenati.com at lists.techwr-l.com] On

Behalf Of Keith Hansen

Sent: Thursday, September 20, 2007 10:19 AM

To: TECHWR-L at lists.techwr-l.com

Subject: It's a "given"!

 

 

I'm editing/revising a predecessor's writing. My predecessor had a

fondness for the word "given." For example:

 

* "To edit a given account..." (instead of just "To edit an account...")

 

* "To assign a given user additional rights..." (instead of just "To

assign a user additional rights...")

 

To me, the word "given" seems unnecessary. Any opinions? When/why would

it be appropriate to use this word? 

 

Just curious... Thanks!

 

Keith

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