Copyediting sample 73:
Installing a modem

Japanese writers of English have difficulty distinguishing the conjunction when from if, often using the first when they should use the second. In this case, because the modem is an option, if is appropriate. After if is in place, the reader will understand that the modem is optional; so the word option is extraneous. Of course, the copyeditor needs to be alert for poor grammar, too.

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