Usage tip o' the day

[Christopher Curran]

Paul W. Frields wrote:
> TIP OF THE DAY:
>
> If you use the word "this" or "that," follow it with a noun that
> clearly indicates the antecedent.  Ensure that your use of "this" or
> "that" isn't also an indicator of poor sentence construction.  The
> word "lets" or "allows" following "this" or "that" is generally a sign
> that more editing is needed.
>
> INCORRECT: "This shows the user who owns the process."
> CORRECT:   "This option shows the user who owns the process."
>
>   
It's often worth avoiding both usages here by not writing sentence 
fragments.
More correct: "Option -x shows which user owns the process"

> INCORRECT:  "Turn on the 'updates-testing' repository in the Software
> Sources tool.  This lets you test new packages before they are pushed
> to the stable repository."
> CORRECT:    "To test new packages before they are pushed to the stable
> repository, turn on the 'updates-testing' repository in the Software
> Sources tool."
>
>   
More correct: "Test packages not pushed to the 'stable' respository by 
turning on the 'updates-testing' repository. "
> Be on the lookout for naked "this" or "that"!
>
>   
You can be far more succinct and clear by making every sentence stand 
alone. If a sentence does not make sense without the sentence before it, 
consider revision.


Chris