# Use of Specific Words (Style Rules)

The following Style Rules provide guidelines for the use of particular words:

"Authors" vs. "Writers"
  Rule: Simply as a matter of company preference, use "content authors" instead of "technical writers".
"Combo Box" vs. "Combobox"
  Rule: Use "combo box" instead of "combobox".
"Cursor" vs. "Caret"
  Rules: Use "cursor" instead of "caret".
"Dialog Box" vs. "Dialog"
  Rule: Use "dialog box" instead of "dialog".
"Drop-Down Menu" vs. "Combo Box
  Rule: Use "drop-down menu" or "drop-down list" when referring to composite buttons that include submenus.
"Enabled/Disabled" vs. "Selected/Deselected
  Rule: Use a form of "enable" when referring to a feature or something general, but use a form of "select" when referring to a specific UI option (for example, where you select a checkbox).
"etc."
  Rule: Typically, only use "etc." inside parentheses. For example: "(XML parser, XSLT transformer, XQuery engine, etc.)"
"Following" vs. "Next"
  Rule: In present tense instances where you are introducing something that follows (such as "In the subsequent chapters..."), use "following" or "subsequent" instead of "next" (for example, "In the following image..." rather than "In the next image...").
"For Example" vs. "e.g." vs. "i.e."
  Rule: Since there is a lot of ambiguity in regards to when and how to use these abbreviations "e.g." and "i.e.", it is safer to NEVER use either of them. Instead, be specific and use the full versions ("For example" or "In other words").
"Includes" vs. "Comes with"
  Rule: In most cases, use "includes" instead of "comes with" (for example, "oXygen includes a user-friendly interface...").
"Multiple" vs. "More than one"
  Rule: Use "multiple" instead of "more than one".
"Schemas" vs. "Schemata" (plural)
  Rule: Use "Schemas" instead of "Schemata" to refer to the plural form of the word.
"They" vs. "He/She"
  Rule: Use "they" rather than "he/she".
"You" vs. "One"
  Rule: Use "you" rather than an impersonal "one".