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Use of words
2

thread1010-361554

Use of words

Use of words

(OP)
Two queries:

a. I've seen the word presently used as at present, but its meaning is soon. Am I right?

b. What is the correct plural of index?

RE: Use of words

a. I think that's an English Vs American thing. As a Brit, I am happy to see the word used either way. A related word is "Momentarily" which to me means only "only for a short while" - and not "soon".

b. I will use "Indices" because I can - but so many people now use "Indexes" that it would be silly to insist that was wrong.

A.

RE: Use of words

Presently means different things to different people. To my wife, it means soon, to me it means now. For that reason, we don't use presently: we use either soon or now to avoid domestics.

I've never seen indexes as the plural of index: only as a verb. eg the program indexes 2000 records a second.

RE: Use of words

For me, presently means exactly what it is, presently and depends on the context.

It is presently being attended to = now
I will attend to it presently, let me finish my lunch first = as soon as I can.
You will meet the new company directors presently = some point in the very near future (when could depend on your / their schedule and an understanding of the situation).

It is a capital mistake to theorise before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. (Sherlock Holmes - A Scandal in Bohemia.)

RE: Use of words

I agree with Artisi's explanation.

I have many indices, one index.

Best to you,

Goober Dave

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RE: Use of words

(OP)

Somebody told me that indexes is used when speaking of books.

RE: Use of words

Quote (25362)

Somebody told me that indexes is used when speaking of books.

Possibly books containing indices?

RE: Use of words

At present (presently) I am writing this response and I shall have my lunch presently.

In my standards work we use 'indices' as the plural for 'index' used as a variant to a symbol, often in the form of a sub- or superscript. The plural 'indexes' is used for an index of paginated terms at the end of a document. I would not use 'indices' for this latter purpose.

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