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hey guys,Currently wrting up a report and need 2 grammatical questions answered if ou can?1. The report is about a software for the Web called a Content Mangement System (CMS). I need to know, firstly, is itok to refer to it as CMS once I define it in the beginning? Secondly, must I capitalise Content Management System in the first place or, as it isn't a name, shouldit be in lower-case, "content management system".2. Please let me know if I have used he semi-colon in the corrent way in the following sentece:"The complexity of the CMS will usually reflect  the cost, where advanced content management systems that are capable of  handling large amounts of data can be very expensive; whilst a basic,  open-source CMS can cost nothing."Thank you all and good luck!

Philip · Accepted Answer

Thedynamixhey guys,

Currently wrting up a report and need 2 grammatical questions answered if ou can?

1. The report is about a software for the Web called a Content Mangement System (CMS). I need to know, firstly, is itok to refer to it as CMS once I define it in the beginning? Secondly, must I capitalise Content Management System in the first place or, as it isn't a name, shouldit be in lower-case, "content management system". It is very common to refer to something already stated with just the beginning letters. This leads me to believe that it should probably be capitalized when first mentioned. I wouldn't bet a lot of money on it, however; I'm just sure.

2. Please let me know if I have used he semi-colon in the corrent way in the following sentece:
"The complexity of the CMS will usually reflect the cost, where advanced content management systems that are capable of handling large amounts of data can be very expensive; whilst a basic, open-source CMS can cost nothing." Using 'whilst' necessitates a comma, as what follows a semi-colon must be, in effect, a complete sentence. I think I would place a period and begin a new sentence (without whilst).

Thank you all and good luck!

Let's see what others have to say. Welcome to the forums!

BarbaraPA · Answer

I usually do NOT capitalize the first letters the first time it appears, but I consider this a style thing. Being consistent is more important.

For example, we can help you develop a customized enviromental management system (EMS). The benefits of an EMS are...

Thedynamix · Answer

Thank you!!

I knew that semi-colon rule so I did expect that answer. I'll attempt re-wording it because I like the semi-colon, but if that fails, I'll split it into two sentences.

Thanks to last poster, too! Before reading your post, I edited my report so that the first mention of it, reads as: "Content Management Systems (CMS)".

I capitalised it, then right after, in brackets, I explain the abberviation, hoping that the reader will assume CMS to be used throughout the remainder of the document.. is that okay?

And last poster - you said you wouldn't capitalise it for the first time... i take it that's your preference and not a rule?

BarbaraPA · Answer

As I said, it's a matter of style. STYLE issues, versus GRAMMATICAL issues, don't have one right or one wrong way to do things. What is important though, is to use the same style throughout an entire piece. You certainly don't need to go back and re-edit to make the content management system lower case if you prefer it in upper case. The reason I don't is that it's not a proper noun. However, if it's a term commonly used in the industry you're writing in, and capitalized there, then of course, the choice to use capitals is easy.

It is very, very common to put the abbreviation in parantheses (as we call them) or brackets after a terms first use, and to use the abbreviation throughout the rest of the piece. You can do that with confidence. I am a business writer, so I'm not just talking through my hat.

Thedynamix · Answer

Thank you guys, your responses have been invaluable!

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