If I have to justify why I used the word "a" instead of "the" in a document one more time, I think I'll just fire myself.

Oh how I wish I were joking.

CK

Is that "a" reason or "the" reason?


85

>ducking and running<

LOL!!! It depends if the word "reason" has antecedent basis within a patent claim you're looking at. If you've mentioned "reason" before, then it would be "the" reason. If this is the first time you've mentioned it, it would be "a" reason, except if the word "reason" is part of a patent claim preamble and not meant to be a positive recitation of "reason" as an element.

You think I'm kidding? I've been getting reprimanded by a client for missing some of these in the piles of cases I do for it!

CK

I've been getting reprimanded by a client for missing some of these in the piles of cases I do for it!

I like how you call the client "it"!

Well, the client is a big corporation, so I didn't know what else to call it. I suppose the person who actually reprimanded me could be called "OCD Boy," but that wouldn't be nice.

CK

I thought "it" was entirely appropriate for someone/something spending their days giving you grief over a vs. the. Such behavior does not merit a more personal pronoun!

Well, the client is a big corporation, so I didn't know what else to call it. I suppose the person who actually reprimanded me could be called "OCD Boy," but that wouldn't be nice.

Is anal retentive hyphenated?

(The scary thing is: I know the correct answer. And no, I am not a copy editor.)

It depends if the word "reason" has antecedent basis within a patent claim you're looking at.

It depends if the word "reason" has antecedent basis within a patent claim at which you are looking.

:-)