Martin Bonner <martin.bonner@pitechnology.com> writes:
Angus Leeming wrote:
Returning to the original example: This means for example that the client can completely discard Bind if she does not need it. I'd suggest rewriting it as: This means that the user can discard Bind completely if it is not needed.
That would get rid of a split infinitive too, but that's a whole other ball game :)
a) I don't see a split infinitive in the original. b) Your rewrite has transformed a clause in the active voice ("she does not need it") to the passive voice ("it is not needed"). The problem with documentation in the passive voice is that it doesn't make clear /who/ doesn't need Bind.
My rewrite would be: This means, for example, that the client can completely discard Bind if they don't need it.
Angus' version is better. This means that if Bind is unneeded the user can discard it completely. Of course, "this" needs an antecedent :) For example, if Bind is unneeded the user can discard it completely. is much more to the point. -- Dave Abrahams Boost Consulting www.boost-consulting.com