Would you? Will you?
I doubt I deal with any single group of press releases more than the ones from government - the lawmakers, the PR folks, etc. Surprising I just added this page.
Much of what I get is in stilted form, perhaps because that’s what happens when too many folks get review/veto power over a press release.
But there’s also some basic issues of clarity, just about all the time. Good example today from a U.S. senator’s office, talking about legislation that passed and is on its way to the president for his signature.
The lead talks of how the provision “would” do such and such, followed immediately by a quote from said senator, saying how it “will” put thousands back to work, etc. etc. Then goes back to “would” in the next paragraph.
All begging the question - is the president expected to sign the bill? If it’s a certainty, then “will” is the proper term. If it’s not known, then “would” fits.
A small point, but like a rock in the shoe to the reader, who knows something’s amiss but may be too busy to realize what.
Barney Lerten
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