[thelist] Site Review - http://wizardev.ca/ (TIP)

[Tyme]

To this discussion, I offer this handy site (the masters of style):

<tip type="Writing Style Guide" author="Tyme">
When in doubt about writing style (grammar, punctuation, capitalization, 
word usage), a good source to consult is: 
http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/.  The Chicago Manual of Style is 
probably the most widely used.  CMS refers to http://www.m-w.com/ 
(Merriam-Webster dictionary) for spelling and definitions.
</tip>

>From the ridiculous to the sublime,
Tyme
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Stephen Rider" <evolt_org at striderweb.com>
To: <thelist at lists.evolt.org>
Sent: Thursday, June 02, 2005 10:02 AM
Subject: Re: [thelist] Site Review - http://wizardev.ca/


>
> On Jun 1, 2005, at 4:36 PM, Kasimir K wrote:
>
>> On Privacy Policy page:
>> - and to my ear "may" indicates some uncertainty, as if you may  respond 
>> if you feel like it - I'd write "so that I can  respond" (this goes for 
>> the contact page too)
>
> This is an subtle point of English, but in fact "may" is correct  here. 
> "Can" would also be grammatically correct, but "may" is the  more polite 
> of the two.  With "may" you are essentially asking  permission to do 
> something, with "can" you are discussing the  physical ability to do so.
>
> It's the same difference between "May I help you?" and "Can I help  you?" 
> It's entirely possible that you _can_ help them, but that they  don't want 
> help.  "May I" recognizes this, while "Can I" does not.
>
> On this topic, my dictionary says: "the distinction is largely a  matter 
> of manners, and sometimes of authority."
>
>
> On you site, put a &nbsp; between the words of "Site Map".
>
> Very nice site, BTW.
>
> Steve
> -- 
>
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