Consistent word usage

Last Updated : Mar 25, 2014 |

  • Use words that have only one meaning.

Preferred

Discouraged

The threshold triggers a series of alarms.

The threshold triggers a string of alarms.

  • If a word has several meanings, use only one meaning of the word.

Many words have multiple meanings. If you cannot replace a word with one that has only one meaning, use the same meaning throughout your documentation. For example, command has multiple meanings. Only use command to refer to an instruction, such as a computer command.

Preferred

Discouraged

The Blender client on the agent desktop issues a Ts.Ready command to the Telephony server.

To customize IC Scripts, you need a good command of the Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) language.

  • Use words that have only one part of speech.

Preferred terms work as one part of speech. For example, contain and house can be synonyms. However, contain is preferred because this word can only be used as a verb.

Preferred

Discouraged

The cabinet contains the multiplexers.

The cabinet houses the multiplexers.

  • If a word is used as more than one part of speech, use the word as only one part of speech.

For example, display can be a noun or a verb. Always use display as a verb. Do not use display as a noun.

Preferred

Discouraged

When you select the block in the Work Area, Workflow Designer displays the property sheet of the block.

You can see the search results on the display.