Usage question - subjunctive mood? (WAS: anyone looking for a writer?)

[John Sgammato]

I would certainly look to this list as a source of candidates for the
highly specialized skill of technical documentation in FrameMaker.

As for the use of the subjunctive, it is now and has always been the case
that while correct usage has many advantages it can sound "hifalutin' ".
You must consider the consumers of your information product, and the SMEs
you rely upon.
When an earnest Chinese engineer at my last job asked me about the use of
the subjunctive mood, I counseled him to learn it for his own mastery of
the language, but in his everyday use it would never be necessary. Not only
do people understand you when you misuse esoteric grammar - they may think
you are just being an obnoxious smarty-pants. Our goal is clear
communication first.

On Sunday, April 7, 2013, VLM TechSubs wrote:

> I hope this isn’t considered too “off topic”. ****
>
> ** **
>
> Perhaps things have changed as our American English language devolves all
> around us, but … might we not better say “if I WERE looking” rather than
> “if I WAS looking”? That is, is this not an untrue condition or wish,
> therefore correctly expressed in the subjunctive mood?****
>
> ** **
>
> Serious question … If I’m “behind the curve” here, I’d like to know!****
>
> ** **
>
> Thanks,****
>
> Elchanan****
>
> *From:* framers-bounces at lists.frameusers.com <javascript:_e({}, 'cvml',
> 'framers-bounces at lists.frameusers.com');> [mailto:
> framers-bounces at lists.frameusers.com <javascript:_e({}, 'cvml',
> 'framers-bounces at lists.frameusers.com');>] *On Behalf Of *Art Campbell
> *Sent:* Saturday, April 06, 2013 12:57 PM
> *To:* Rick Quatro
> *Cc:* FrameUsers List
> *Subject:* Re: anyone looking for a writer?****
>
> ** **
>
> Seconding all of Rick's comments, with the bonus that if I was looking for
> a job or a writer who was better than average with FM, this would be a
> pretty obvious place to browse or recruit. Just the fact that someone would
> post on this list semi-qualifies them... ****
>
>
> ****
>
> Art Campbell
>             art.campbell at gmail.com <javascript:_e({}, 'cvml',
> 'art.campbell at gmail.com');>
>   "... In my opinion, there's nothing in this world beats a '52 Vincent
> and a redheaded girl." -- Richard Thompson
>                                                       No disclaimers apply.
>                                                                DoD 358
>
> I support www.TheGrotonLine.com, hyperlocal news for Groton MA.****
>
> ** **
>
> On Sat, Apr 6, 2013 at 3:15 PM, Rick Quatro <rick at rickquatro.com<javascript:_e({}, 'cvml', 'rick at rickquatro.com');>>
> wrote:****
>
> This seems like a great place for this kind of post. You get an occasional
> posts from people offering FrameMaker jobs and those looking for FrameMaker
> jobs. It's all good. The list is fairly low-volume anyway, and you can
> easily delete any posts you consider inappropriate. Besides, if I was
> looking to hire someone, I would want to know that someone as qualified as
> Jess is looking for a job.****
>
>  ****
>
> Rick****
>
>  ****
>
> Rick Quatro****
>
> Carmen Publishing Inc.****
>
> 585-283-5045****
>
> rick at frameexpert.com <javascript:_e({}, 'cvml', 'rick at frameexpert.com');>*
> ***
>
>  ****
>
>  ****
>
>  ****
>
> *From:* framers-bounces at lists.frameusers.com <javascript:_e({}, 'cvml',
> 'framers-bounces at lists.frameusers.com');> [mailto:
> framers-bounces at lists.frameusers.com <javascript:_e({}, 'cvml',
> 'framers-bounces at lists.frameusers.com');>] *On Behalf Of *Cal Callahan
> *Sent:* Saturday, April 06, 2013 12:42 PM
> *To:* framers at lists.frameusers.com <javascript:_e({}, 'cvml',
> 'framers at lists.frameusers.com');>
> *Subject:* Re: anyone looking for a writer?****
>
>  ****
>
> Much as I wish you success, I don't believe this is an appropriate posting
> here. The list would soon be filled by pleas from people like you and me
> who are looking for work.****
>
>  ****
>
> cal
> ****
>
>  ****
>
>  ****
>
>
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> ** **
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-- 









*John Sgammato  *

Documentation Architect

*e* john.sgammato at actifio.com

*w* +1-(508) 927-2083

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