Comments on: Glad that Tufte agrees http://www.natashascorner.com/2009/02/13/glad-that-tufte-agrees/ thoughts on design, user experience, and other things that begin with letters Thu, 12 Aug 2010 12:04:42 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Natasha Lloyd http://www.natashascorner.com/2009/02/13/glad-that-tufte-agrees/comment-page-1/#comment-514 Natasha Lloyd Sun, 08 Mar 2009 21:23:04 +0000 http://www.natashascorner.com/?p=282#comment-514 Yep, that would be him. :) (at least that's what I'm assuming...) Yep, that would be him. :)

(at least that’s what I’m assuming…)

]]> By: Robby http://www.natashascorner.com/2009/02/13/glad-that-tufte-agrees/comment-page-1/#comment-512 Robby Sun, 08 Mar 2009 21:21:14 +0000 http://www.natashascorner.com/?p=282#comment-512 I have such mixed feelings on this. Oh, and is Chief Curmudgeon Stefaan? I have such mixed feelings on this. Oh, and is Chief Curmudgeon Stefaan?

]]> By: Natasha Lloyd http://www.natashascorner.com/2009/02/13/glad-that-tufte-agrees/comment-page-1/#comment-482 Natasha Lloyd Mon, 23 Feb 2009 16:37:20 +0000 http://www.natashascorner.com/?p=282#comment-482 @"Chief Curmudgeon": I admit, when I write sentences like my example above, I do pluralize the subject so I can write "they" rather than he/she. What Tufte was talking about, however, is presentations and I think in that case, it's ok to use imperfect grammar. In writing, poor grammar stands out like a sore thumb to people such as yourself and anyone else that has ever studied even the most basic rules of grammar. But when you're speaking, relaxing your grammar is sometimes preferable. As Tufte points out, saying "they" makes sure you don't alienate anyone in the audience. It also makes you sound more relaxed and natural, which makes the presentation easier to take in. In practice, I typically relax my grammar when speaking and when writing in a casual style, like on this blog. When I write specifications or other formal documents, I do take care to use correct grammar. The difference is in whether you want your words to sound like a conversation or like a speech. I tend to lean toward the casual/conversational tone, but that's is not for everybody. :) @”Chief Curmudgeon”:
I admit, when I write sentences like my example above, I do pluralize the subject so I can write “they” rather than he/she. What Tufte was talking about, however, is presentations and I think in that case, it’s ok to use imperfect grammar.

In writing, poor grammar stands out like a sore thumb to people such as yourself and anyone else that has ever studied even the most basic rules of grammar. But when you’re speaking, relaxing your grammar is sometimes preferable. As Tufte points out, saying “they” makes sure you don’t alienate anyone in the audience. It also makes you sound more relaxed and natural, which makes the presentation easier to take in.

In practice, I typically relax my grammar when speaking and when writing in a casual style, like on this blog. When I write specifications or other formal documents, I do take care to use correct grammar. The difference is in whether you want your words to sound like a conversation or like a speech. I tend to lean toward the casual/conversational tone, but that’s is not for everybody. :)

]]> By: Chief Curmudgeon http://www.natashascorner.com/2009/02/13/glad-that-tufte-agrees/comment-page-1/#comment-475 Chief Curmudgeon Sat, 21 Feb 2009 17:07:10 +0000 http://www.natashascorner.com/?p=282#comment-475 I must diasagree. It is never correct, grammatically or otherwise, to refer to a singular with a plural. If you are loth to use the circumlocutive constructions "him or her" or "s/he", simply make the subject plural as well. That is, instead of writing an abomination such as "*The user can change their settings by ...", write instead "Users can change their settings by ...". No information is lost, communication is not impeded, and noone is alienated, grammarians included. I know I'm fighting a losing battle on this front, but battle I must, and will. I must diasagree. It is never correct, grammatically or otherwise, to refer to a singular with a plural. If you are loth to use the circumlocutive constructions “him or her” or “s/he”, simply make the subject plural as well. That is, instead of writing an abomination such as “*The user can change their settings by …”, write instead “Users can change their settings by …”. No information is lost, communication is not impeded, and noone is alienated, grammarians included.

I know I’m fighting a losing battle on this front, but battle I must, and will.

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