Re: master 4c0c9d23ab 1/2: Rewrite the minibuffer lazy highlight feature

[Augusto Stoffel]

On Sun, 10 Apr 2022 at 21:39, Brian Cully <bjc@spork.org> wrote:

> Po Lu <luangruo@yahoo.com> writes:
>
>> Juri Linkov <juri@jurta.org> writes:
>>
>>> +This function allows to set up the minibuffer so that lazy
>>> +highlighting of its content is applied in the original window.
>>
>> I used to be guilty of this mistake as well, but yesterday I read an
>> style guide according to which "allows to" is not correct English.

Sorry, I was also aware of this; as far as grammar rules go, it is a
pretty logical one.  I guess just let it slip out.

I can always create a patch, but it's probably easier for everybody if
someone with commit rights just edit this directly?

>       It has always struck my (native speaker) ears as odd, but this
> construction seems to be gaining prominence within the US.
>
>> It's probably prudent to replace that with "allows you to" or "allows
>> users to".
>
>       One may also say “allows setting up the minibuffer”, which I
> find the most natural. But any of these choices would be acceptable over
> “allows to”, IMHO.

I slightly prefer "allows doing something".  It seems quite normal in
English to use "you" to refer to a generic person (as in "apples are
good for you"), but this is kinda funny if think about it.

> -bjc