0
Usenet Posted 23 years ago
Usage
The computer's "Any" key
Thers's been a discussion in another NG about the computer's illusive "Any" key.
My point of view is that
1a - Press any key
1b - PRESS ANY KEY
1c - Press Any Key
do not tell the user to look for a key labeled "Any."
Also that
2a - Press Any key
2b - Press the Any key
2c - Press The Any Key
2d - PRESS THE ANY KEY
do tell the user to look for a key labeled "Any."
In the first example, since each word in each sentence is spelled the same with regard to the first word of a sentence being capitalized, each word carries the same weight and no word is more important than the others.
In the second example, 2b, 2c, and 2d obviously point to a key labeled "Any" because of the use of the word "the." "The" refers to something specific as opposed to the use of "a" and "any" which are non-specific. 2a also refers to a a key labeled beacasue "any" is capitalized which draws the reader's attention to it as being special.
Others in the other NG disagree with me for various reasons. What are your thoughts on this?
Joe
My point of view is that
1a - Press any key
1b - PRESS ANY KEY
1c - Press Any Key
do not tell the user to look for a key labeled "Any."
Also that
2a - Press Any key
2b - Press the Any key
2c - Press The Any Key
2d - PRESS THE ANY KEY
do tell the user to look for a key labeled "Any."
In the first example, since each word in each sentence is spelled the same with regard to the first word of a sentence being capitalized, each word carries the same weight and no word is more important than the others.
In the second example, 2b, 2c, and 2d obviously point to a key labeled "Any" because of the use of the word "the." "The" refers to something specific as opposed to the use of "a" and "any" which are non-specific. 2a also refers to a a key labeled beacasue "any" is capitalized which draws the reader's attention to it as being special.
Others in the other NG disagree with me for various reasons. What are your thoughts on this?
Joe
Top answer
[nq:1]Thers's been a discussion in another NG about the computer's illusive "Any" key. My point of view is that 1a ... as being special.
- [nq:1]Thers's been a discussion in another NG about the computer's illusive "Any" key.
- My point of view is that 1a ...
- as being special.
- Others in the other NG disagree with me for various reasons.
- [/nq] It depends on context, too.
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
24 Answers
0
[nq:1]Thers's been a discussion in another NG about the computer's illusive "Any" key. My point of view is that 1a ... as being special. Others in the other NG disagree with me for various reasons. What are your thoughts on this?[/nq]
It depends on context, too. If the text it's in is sort of telegraphic,
Press control key.
Press shift-control-A
Press any key.
then it could be
It depends on context, too. If the text it's in is sort of telegraphic,
Press control key.
Press shift-control-A
Press any key.
then it could be
00
[nq:1]Thers's been a discussion in another NG about the computer's illusive "Any" key.[/nq]
Your reason for using "illusive" is elusive to me.
John W Hall (Email Removed)
Cochrane, Alberta, Canada.
"Helping People Prosper in the Information Age"
Your reason for using "illusive" is elusive to me.
John W Hall (Email Removed)
Cochrane, Alberta, Canada.
"Helping People Prosper in the Information Age"
00
[nq:1]Thers's been a discussion in another NG about the computer's illusive "Any" key. My point of view is that 1a ... as being special. Others in the other NG disagree with me for various reasons. What are your thoughts on this?[/nq]
1. Has anyone ever seen a key labeled "any"? I think this isrelevant.
2. Anyone who writes "the any key" is almost certainly not a nativespeaker of English.
1. Has anyone ever seen a key labeled "any"? I think this isrelevant.
2. Anyone who writes "the any key" is almost certainly not a nativespeaker of English.
00
[nq:1]Thers's been a discussion in another NG about the computer's illusive "Any" key. My point of view is that 1a ... The Any Key 2d - PRESS THE ANY KEY do tell the user to look for a key labeled "Any."[/nq]
Why 2a?
Or why not use
'Press ANY key'
?
This tells that 'it can be any key, not just a letter or a key from another group'.
Or why not
'Press a key'
?
(Of
Why 2a?
Or why not use
'Press ANY key'
?
This tells that 'it can be any key, not just a letter or a key from another group'.
Or why not
'Press a key'
?
(Of
00
[nq:2]Thers's been a discussion in another NG about the computer's ... me for various reasons. What are your thoughts on this?[/nq]
[nq:1]It depends on context, too. If the text it's in is sort of telegraphic, Press control key. Press shift-control-A Press any key. then it could be confusing, to someone who'd been asleep since 1975 or so.[/nq]
The context would be, after displaying the pro
[nq:1]It depends on context, too. If the text it's in is sort of telegraphic, Press control key. Press shift-control-A Press any key. then it could be confusing, to someone who'd been asleep since 1975 or so.[/nq]
The context would be, after displaying the pro
00
[nq:2]Thers's been a discussion in another NG about the computer's illusive "Any" key.[/nq]
[nq:1]Your reason for using "illusive" is elusive to me.[/nq]
Sorry about that. It's my pronounciation. Remember what we learned in school. Spell it like it sounds. Damned english language. ;-)
[nq:1]Your reason for using "illusive" is elusive to me.[/nq]
Sorry about that. It's my pronounciation. Remember what we learned in school. Spell it like it sounds. Damned english language. ;-)
00
[nq:2]Thers's been a discussion in another NG about the computer's ... me for various reasons. What are your thoughts on this?[/nq]
[nq:1]1. Has anyone ever seen a key labeled "any"? I think this is relevant.[/nq]
No one has ever seen a key labeled 'any" because it doesn't exist.
[nq:1]2. Anyone who writes "the any key" is almost certainly not a native speaker of English. I don't see w
[nq:1]1. Has anyone ever seen a key labeled "any"? I think this is relevant.[/nq]
No one has ever seen a key labeled 'any" because it doesn't exist.
[nq:1]2. Anyone who writes "the any key" is almost certainly not a native speaker of English. I don't see w
00
[nq:2]2. Anyone who writes "the any key" is almost certainly ... a consequence of a lack of facility with the language.[/nq]
[nq:1]It's not hypothetical. Many programs use this phrase to allow the computer user to read the screen.[/nq]
I know you'll find this hard to believe, but I know that. (The phrase being "press any key.) You're arguing about some hypothetical phrase "press the any ke
[nq:1]It's not hypothetical. Many programs use this phrase to allow the computer user to read the screen.[/nq]
I know you'll find this hard to believe, but I know that. (The phrase being "press any key.) You're arguing about some hypothetical phrase "press the any ke
00
[nq:2]Thers's been a discussion in another NG about the computer's ... tell the user to look for a key labeled "Any."[/nq]
[nq:1]Why 2a?[/nq]
Because, given English grammar rules, only the first word of a sentence is ever capitalized unless it is a proper noun, part of a title, or it needs special attention if it cannot be bolded or underlined.
[nq:1]Or why not use 'Press ANY key' ? Th
[nq:1]Why 2a?[/nq]
Because, given English grammar rules, only the first word of a sentence is ever capitalized unless it is a proper noun, part of a title, or it needs special attention if it cannot be bolded or underlined.
[nq:1]Or why not use 'Press ANY key' ? Th
00
[nq:2]It's not hypothetical. Many programs use this phrase to allow the computer user to read the screen.[/nq]
[nq:1]I know you'll find this hard to believe, but I know that. (The phrase being "press any key.) You're arguing ... key" that doesn't exist in English. I snipped the part where you agree that there's no key named "any."[/nq]
That's my point. "Press the any key" does not exist so
[nq:1]I know you'll find this hard to believe, but I know that. (The phrase being "press any key.) You're arguing ... key" that doesn't exist in English. I snipped the part where you agree that there's no key named "any."[/nq]
That's my point. "Press the any key" does not exist so
0
Related Questions