RE: Appropriate -- so inappropriate!

Subject: RE: Appropriate -- so inappropriate!
From: "Stephen Arrants" <steve -at- mbfbioscience -dot- com>
To: "Nancy Allison" <maker -at- verizon -dot- net>, <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Date: Fri, 10 Jul 2009 16:01:26 -0400

You're correct--you'd hardly tell them to install the clamp at an inappropriate location.

These kinds of modifiers are empty, and usually come from people who don't think through what would happen if a novice did the procedure. Explain it that way--ask for clarification for "appropriate" in all instances.




Nancy Allison writes:
> I am receiving comments from a reviewer who is fond of the word
> "appropriate," as in
>
> "Install the clamps on the appropriate location."
>
> "Connect the cable to the appropriate connector."
>
> "Follow the appropriate safety standards."
>
> Unless we're in the middle of a passage in which a specific danger is
> being discussed, one in which various candidates are confusingly similar
> . . . the word "appropriate" is pretty much empty fill, isn't it?
>
> We would hardly be telling our users to install the inappropriate clamp
> on the inappropriate location.
>
> Do you run into this?
>
> I am slashing away at them with my mighty pen. On a late Friday
> afternoon . . . it's quite enjoyable. I must thank my reviewer.
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References:
Appropriate -- so inappropriate!: From: Nancy Allison

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