Future Tense
Introduction
In technical writing, it is essential to describe future actions or expected outcomes. However, overuse of the future tense, especially “will” and “will not”, can make writing wordy and unclear. This chapter presents approaches to minimize the use of “will” and “will not”, and offers alternatives to enhance precision, ensuring technical documents are accurate, concise, and clear.
Why Minimize “Will” and “Will Not”
Minimizing “will” and “will not” enhances both clarity and precision in writing.
Clarity: Overusing “will” and “will not” can make sentences wordy and repetitive, distracting readers from key points. Reducing these terms makes the writing more concise and direct, improving clarity and readability.
Precision: “Will” and “will not” suggest absolute certainty about future events. However, in technical contexts, outcomes often depend on specific conditions. Replacing these terms with more precise alternatives helps convey the intended meaning more accurately, avoiding misunderstandings.
Key Approaches to Minimize “Will” and “Will Not”
Here are key approaches to minimize “will” and “will not”.
Use Present Tense for Actions
Use the present tense to describe actions that are habitual, consistent, or predictable, particularly when referring to system operations or behaviors. The present tense conveys general facts or ongoing actions that happen regularly.
Example
Original
Revised
The system will check the status at regular intervals.
The system checks the status at regular intervals.
The software will not function without proper installation.
The software does not function without proper installation.
When ESP32 scans in Station mode, the SoftAP channel will change along with the Station channel.
When ESP32 scans in Station mode, the SoftAP channel changes along with the Station channel.
Use Imperative Mood for Instructions
For instructions and procedures, the imperative mood (base form of the verb) is more direct and concise than the future tense. It eliminates unnecessary auxiliary verbs and focuses on the required action.
Example
Original
Revised
You will need to connect the device to the computer.
Connect the device to the computer.
The user will need to enter the password before proceeding.
Enter your password to proceed.
Alternative Expressions for “Will” and “Will Not”
For more precise expressions of future actions, consider the following alternatives:
Requirement
To express actions that are mandatory or necessary, consider using:
“Must”
This term is direct and definitive, clearly indicating a required action, leaving no room for ambiguity.
Example
Original
Revised
Before a contribution can be accepted, you will need to sign our Contributor Agreement.
Before a contribution can be accepted, you must sign our Contributor Agreement.
Intent or Purpose
To convey the intended goal or outcome without implying certainty, consider using:
“Aims to”
This phrase expresses intention without suggesting a guaranteed result, focusing on the desired outcome while allowing for uncertainty.
Example
Original
Revised
The update will resolve performance issues in previous versions.
The update aims to address performance issues in previous versions.
When “Will” and “Will Not” Are Necessary
While minimizing the use of “will” and “will not” is generally beneficial for clarity, there are cases where their use is necessary:
Describing Guaranteed Actions or Outcomes
Use “will” to emphasize actions or outcomes that are certain to happen. For instance:
Access to entries marked as invalid memory types will result in fetch fault.
Making Firm Commitments
Use “will” to express commitments or obligations that are guaranteed to be fulfilled. For instance:
The company will provide technical support for six months after purchase.
Emphasizing Prohibited Actions
Use “will not” to highlight actions or behaviors that are strictly prohibited or guaranteed not to occur. For instance:
The data will not be shared with third-party vendors without explicit consent.
Highlighting Results of Current Actions
Use “will” to emphasize the direct result of a specific action. This highlights what happens as a consequence of the reader’s current action, often under certain conditions. For instance:
Run the command
printenv MDF_PATH. If theMDF_PATHenvironment variable has been set correctly, the command will return the path to the ESP-MDF project directory.
Minimizing “will” and “will not” makes writing more direct and precise. Using the present tense and imperative mood simplifies the writing, while precise alternatives enhance accuracy. These strategies lead to clearer and more effective technical writing.