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Business & Technical Writing/Correct use of "square metres"

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Expert: - 11/24/2006


Question
Information I handle often reduces output of various factory's glass to "square meters" to produce a common comparison. (A factory might, for example produce X items 1200mm x 900mm, whilst another might produce Y items 600mm x 240mm). My question is how to correctly refer to this figure. Would you say "The square meters shipped..." or "the square meterage shipped..." or does it have to be something like "The shipments, in square meters, are..." ? This is for a technical but widely read newsletter.

Answer
As long as it is accurate, I think the purpose will be met. In general, a stronger construction is to use the action verb (shipped) rather than a variation of "to be" (is/are).

Preferred: The factory shipped xxxx square meters in June.
OK: The shipments, in square meters, are xxxx.

Do not use "meterage" at all.

Hope this helps.

Business & Technical Writing

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Dan Smith

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I have been a professional writer and editor for more than 30 years, taught speech and English composition at the university level, and have developed speech and English composition courses and seminars for businesses. I am experienced in editing a wide variety of materials, especially business, scientific, and other academic papers. I am familiar with all the major style guides.

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I have edited any number of graduate papers and other technical materials in such advanced fields as clinical psychology, civil and electrical engineering, and semiconductor fabrication. I have extensive experience in working with non-native English speakers.

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