I proofread a blog called “The Truth About Cars” and, as you can imagine, there’s been much written on the domestic auto industry of late. While the site’s contributors try to keep the posts light and humorous, there is a need to report the news truthfully without spin (ahem, MSM). Bailouts are a popular topic and require me to be extra vigilant. Too often “bailout” and “bail out” are used interchangably though they mean two different things. “Bailout” is a noun, as in The auto industry bailout is a boondoggle. “Bail out” is a verb + modifier, as in I’m going to bail out if this plane suffers a malfunction or Help me bail out this water before the boat sinks!
I often see similar confusion (all over the web) between “login” and “log in”.
CORRECT: What is your login information?
INCORRECT: Please login.
CORRECT: You must log in before accessing this feature.
INCORRECT: My log in doesn’t work!
“Logout” and “log out” are a bit trickier. To log out is to exit something that you logged into such as a secure computer session or . . . well, I can’t think of anything else. The average person doesn’t use “logout” (the noun) in everyday conversation. Yes, they see it when they’re logged in to their secure e-mail or banking websites, but most probably don’t utilize the function and instead just close the browser window. Systems administrators use it when discussing metrics with their colleagues, as in We observe that the number of logouts does not match the number of logins. Logging in provides a wealth of information to the people administering the system being logged into. Often to obtain login credentials, one must register one’s information in exchange for a username and password. Logging in gives admins information about date and time, computer and browser used, location, behavior, etc. that can be used to sell “things”. Logging out? Not so much. Therefore, it makes sense that “log in” and “login” are more prevalent online than “logout” and “log out”.
Your thoughts?