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Did you have the same editor that I had? Exactly how you have given
these two examples is how an editor from you know where dictated that we
use the "then" option; never mind that all other editors went along with
today's language (as Richard stated, the semi-literate, or as I call
them, "functional illiterates") and just used "then" with a comma before
it (as Chris has indicated.)
So, you can be as strict as possible and use one of the ways Sean
describes below, or be consistent at least and cater to the least common
denominator and use "then" with only a comma in front of it.
TVB
Tammy Van Boening
Curriculum Developer
Charter University
Charter Communications, Inc.
tammy -dot- vanboening -at- chartercom -dot- com
-----Original Message-----
From:
techwr-l-bounces+tammy -dot- vanboening=chartercom -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+tammy -dot- vanboening=chartercom -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot-
com] On Behalf Of Sean Brierley
Sent: Monday, September 22, 2008 11:11 AM
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: RE: "and then," or simply "then"?
*Click Gimfratz, then click the display to add new locations.*
That should have a semicolon. Click Gimfratz; then, click ...
*Click Gimfratz, and then click the display to add new locations.*
That doesn't need a semicolon.
But, I don't think our readers know what to do with a semicolon, so my
advice is to be consistent and do it one way.
Cheers,
Sean
___________
Sean Brierley
Technical Writer
www.accu-time.com
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+sbrierley=accu-time -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+sbrierley=accu-time -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On
Behalf Of Chris Morton
Sent: Monday, September 22, 2008 12:42 PM
To: techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com
Subject: "and then," or simply "then"?
In the context of a user guide, consider:
*Click Gimfratz, then click the display to add new locations.*
Using M$ Word, it insists this should read:
*Click Gimfratz, and then click the display to add new locations.*
In today's language, I think "and" is superfluous. What's your take?
> Chris
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