I was just replying that I didn't see a post from you on this, Sue. But your other post came through before I could. :-) In the may/might discussion, I like the example from the MMoS that you listed: If xxxx, you *may* need to yyyy. The word "might" seems too wishy-washy to me. I have flashbacks to an old Bugs Bunny cartoon where some police officer tells him, "You might, rabbit. You might." (in answer to "Would I turn on the stove if my friend Rocky was in there?")
________________________________ From: Sue Heim [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, November 24, 2008 11:57 AM To: Jones, Donna Cc: TCP List Subject: Re: [TCP] Word choice: Might or May? Hey! My post three days ago said to rewrite the sentence!!! (But y'all ignored me! <pout>) If anyone cares, the MS style guide says the following (this is from the 2nd edition, which is online and easy to copy from). ...sue can vs. may Use the verb can to describe actions or tasks that the user or program is able to do. Use may or might only to express possibility or when the result of an action is unknown or variable, not to imply that the user has permission to do something. Correct You can use the /b option to force a black-and-white screen display. If you use the /b option, your code may not be portable. If the table overlaps the text or the margin, you may need to resize the table and wrap text around it. If the table overlaps the text or the margin, you can resize the table and wrap text around it. Many new programs might run very slowly on less powerful computers. Incorrect You may use the /b option to force a black-and-white display. In general, avoid could; it's seldom necessary. Might, however, connotes a sense of "a possible occurrence" without the suggestion of permission or recommendation, so it can be useful in some instances when may seems to imply permission. On Mon, Nov 24, 2008 at 9:51 AM, Jones, Donna <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: My choice would be a rewrite. Your sample sentence makes me think, "But why would I want to do this?" I would rewrite to something along these lines: To limit the records displayed, set the date range to something meaningful to you, such as the current month, quarter, or sales quota period. Or For the most meaningful results, set the date range to the current month, quarter, or sales quota period. No may or might, can or shall. Just an imperative and why you'd want to do it. Just my $0.02, which as we know isn't worth much nowadays. :-) Donna -----Original Message----- I'm trying to determine which is the best word to use: Might or May. I am writing about determining which records get displayed based on start and end dates. At the end I want to offer the following suggestion: You may/might want to set the date range to your current month, quarter, or sales quota period. What's your choice (or complete re-write)? Thanks! --- John B. - CONFIDENTIAL- This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential, and may also be legally privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you may not review, use, copy, or distribute this message. If you receive this email in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply email and then delete this email. ______________________________________________ ComponentOne Doc-To-Help 2009 is your all-in-one authoring and publishing solution. Author in Doc-To-Help's XML-based editor, Microsoft Word or HTML and publish to the Web, Help systems or printed manuals. Download Free Trial. www.doctohelp.comhttp://www.techcommpros.com/componentone/ Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com <http://www.i3deverywhere.com/> _______________________________________________ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com <http://www.techcommpros.com/> ______________________________________________ ComponentOne Doc-To-Help 2009 is your all-in-one authoring and publishing solution. Author in Doc-To-Help's XML-based editor, Microsoft Word or HTML and publish to the Web, Help systems or printed manuals. Download Free Trial. www.doctohelp.comhttp://www.techcommpros.com/componentone/ Interactive 3D Documentation Parts catalogs, animated instructions, and more. www.i3deverywhere.com _______________________________________________ Technical Communication Professionals Post a message to the list: email [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, unsubscribe, archives, account options, list info: http://techcommpros.com/mailman/listinfo/tcp_techcommpros.com Subscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe (email): send a blank message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Need help? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED] Get the TCP whole experience! http://www.techcommpros.com
