JPPPP

jdporter on 2002-07-16T17:53:03

This is one that is not very common in ordinary usage, but which seems to recur like a bad rash in bureaucratese and militarese.

"to include"

Apparently some technical writers have an aversion to the more usual (and more correct) "including".

Granted, "to include" can be right in certain contexts -- specifically, when describing a future/potential situation, as in some kind of specification. E.g.:

The vessel shall be capable of containing, with zero leakage, a variety of solvents, to include water, ethanol, and benzene.


Problem is, some people conclude that it therefore makes sense in every context. Consider:

Medieval lords employed cruel tactics to keep serfs in subjugation, to include torture, whimsical justice, and extreme taxation.