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Anonymous Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

Option vs. optional?

I am rewriting a number of English brochures where the original writer has used "optional" throughout the piece, regardless of the word's position, i.e. both as a noun and an adjective. So titles are often "DAS Analysis Software (optional), then in tables too "25GHz probe (optional)", or simply using an asterisk at the bottom of the table "*optional" to identify items in the table that were optional. I'm thinking to change them, based on whether they are a noun or adjective - meaning that basically I'd like to change all instances like these to "option" and leave "optional" in text ("All optional items are purchased separately.") as it is. But am I going too far? Should I leave optional as it is? Any feedback about this is very appreciated.
  

Top answer

Optional only makes sense to me as a product or upgrade, but the two examples you gave were both nouns, so I'm not sure I can picture what you mean. Can you give a couple other examples? I would leave "optional" as the descriptor for these optional items, based on what you have so far.

— BarbaraPA

  • Optional only makes sense to me as a product or upgrade, but the two examples you gave were both nouns, so I'm not sure I can picture what you mean.
  • Can you give a couple other examples?
  • I would leave "optional" as the descriptor for these optional items, based on what you have so far.
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3 Answers
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Optional only makes sense to me as a product or upgrade, but the two examples you gave were both nouns, so I'm not sure I can picture what you mean. Can you give a couple other examples?

I would leave "optional" as the descriptor for these optional items, based on what you have so far.
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Thank you for your reply Barabara and sorry if my original post was confusing. Basically, the people (non-native speakers) making these catalogs are looking for a "rule" to help them decide when to use "option" and when to use "optional".

My idea is to say that in cases where the text preceding/referring to "(optional)" is a noun (such as in a title, table or when used as a footnote), le
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Just off the top of my head, if I read "This option" I think that I have a choice. If I read "This optional feature/function" I think that it's something that must be purchased in addition to the base unit.

I would use "optional" thoughout -thought without seeing more, it's hard to say.
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