Use simple tense

Last Updated : Jul 24, 2013 |

Preferred

Discouraged

If you bought...

If you have bought...

When you finish...

When you have finished...

Ensure that the hardware is installed.

Ensure that the hardware has been installed.

This procedure describes how to restore...

This procedure describes how you would restore...

...for which you want to...

...for which you would like to...

Calls are not forwarded...

Calls will not be forwarded...

You see this message if you try to restart the network too quickly

You will see this message if you have tried to restart the network too quickly.

The system makes no changes until you confirm the settings.

The system will not make changes until you have confirmed the settings.

You cannot communicate with the network terminal server until you change the IP address.

You will not be able to communicate with the network terminal server until you have changed the IP address.

You can also include labels.

You will also be allowed to include labels.

If all inodes are in use, the system cannot start new processes.

If all inodes are in use, the system will not be able to start new processes.

See also Tense.