Login to, log into or something else

gaekwad · 2014-03-07 14:17:55

Hey there, smart folks.

I’m writing a Textpattern article, and in the absence of any style guide for the organisation I’m writing for, I’m using this one for terminology.

I am wondering which is the most internationally accepted of the following:

[…] will not be able to log in to the administration interface.
[…] will not be able to login to the administration interface.
[…] will not be able to log into the administration interface.

What do you think?

Any votes, input and other suggestions very gratefully received. Thank you.

Gocom · 2014-03-07 14:35:04

gaekwad wrote #279543:

[…] will not be able to log in to the administration interface.

Proper.

[…] will not be able to login to the administration interface.

Login is a noun; log and in are separate words. This is one of those typos you can come across everywhere.

springworks · 2014-03-07 14:52:47

How about using “sign in” instead?

gaekwad · 2014-03-07 14:55:04

Jukka – thanks, that’s what I was tending toward. I appreciate the confirmation.

Steve – yeah, I did think I could sidestep the issue and avoid the weasels, but then there’s no time like the present to solve my query and, frankly, get an international viewpoint on here.

els · 2014-03-07 15:54:40

gaekwad wrote #279543:

which is the most internationally accepted

Er… shouldn’t you just worry about English (when writing in English)? ;)

Edited to clarify:
I only thought of saying this because in my experience very often Dutch translations of user interfaces make me squirm. I think I understand where it’s coming from, the goal is probably to stay as close to the original as possible, but that often results in just plain incorrect Dutch. I assume this also happens in other languages.
Correct spelling (in my own language) is a pet issue ;) Why would anyone even consider using a not-so-correct spelling only to accommodate one’s readers?

Last edited by els (2014-03-07 16:11:05)

gaekwad · 2014-03-07 16:33:04

Hi Els – thanks for your reply. I was asking because although the language is English, the readership is likely to be mostly non-English as their primary language, so I was canvassing for opinion. There’s no official translation at stake, at least none that I know of, so I wanted to ensure that what I’m using is, perhaps subjectively, the best use of words, while trying to stay close to what is considered correct.

There’s a thing in the UK, express grocery store checkouts for smaller baskets/carts/trolleys – they often use a phrase ’10 items or less’, when it should be ’10 items or fewer’ (emphasis mine). When I asked about this, I was told that people expect to see ’10 items or less’ and the correct ’10 items or fewer’ confused people in tests. It was then that I learned to choose my battles wisely.

Bloke · 2014-03-07 16:52:31

gaekwad wrote #279555:

’10 items or less’

OT, but it’s one of my peeves too.

gaekwad · 2014-03-07 16:56:11

Bloke wrote #279557:

OT, but it’s one of my peeves too.

*Internet high five*

Gocom · 2014-03-07 17:04:40

I believe in your case the structural simplicity, and the applied vocabulary, is more important than breaking grammar to please your non-English audience. For instance:

you can not log in versus will not be able to log in to the administration interface
or simply giving the reason such as incorrect username or password or account banned
limit: 10 items

Use layman terms and keep sentences short. Especially avoid unnecessary prepositions and conjunctions. Different languages have very different rules. E.g. placement of verbs is similar in English and Swedishetc, while in Dutch the main verb is at the end.

gaekwad · 2014-03-07 17:06:24

Thanks, Jukka.

els · 2014-03-07 17:11:42

Hi Pete, thanks for clarifying your point of view. I still don’t agree with it ;)

gaekwad · 2014-03-07 17:13:03

Els wrote #279561:

Hi Pete, thanks for clarifying your point of view. I still don’t agree with it ;)

…and I will actively defend your right to disagree with me, Els – all the way through the 10 items or fewer checkout.

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#1 2014-03-07 14:17:55