Re: UPDATING readability

From: Marc Ramirez <marc.ramirez_at_bluecirclesoft.com>
Date: Sat, 16 Oct 2004 16:25:21 -0400
On Saturday 16 October 2004 03:08 pm, David Syphers wrote:
> On Saturday 16 October 2004 01:53 am, Matteo Riondato wrote:
> > Could we change an entry from:
> >
> > 20041007:
> >         One of the syscalls the 1:1 threading library libthr uses has
> >         changed, thus breaking ABI compatibility. Make sure you  rebuild
> > this library with the kernel.
> >
> > to:

Compromise: One of the syscalls _which_ the ...

> >
> > 20041007:
> >         One of the syscalls used by the 1:1 threading library libthr
> >  has changed, thus breaking ABI compatibility. Make sure you  rebuild
> > this library with the kernel.
> >
> > I think this will improve the readability and the comprension of the
> > entry by the non-native english speakers.
>
> I hate to be pedantic, but the original entry is preferable. In English it
> is correct to avoid the passive voice when possible (though not nearly to
> the extent that, say, French does). The active voice is quite appropriate
> here, where the subject is clearly defined. Is there a particular reason
> why non-native speakers would prefer the passive voice?

-- 
Marc Ramirez
Blue Circle Software Corporation
513-688-1070 (main)
513-382-1270 (direct)
http://www.bluecirclesoft.com
http://www.mrami.com (personal)

Received on Sat Oct 16 2004 - 18:26:06 UTC

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