How to indicate "the device" which was mentioned before?

[japprends]

Hi, I've been wondering if "the relevant device" is suitable to express the device which is referred to before. I think "the device in question" is more appropriate, as "the relevant device" sounds like another device which is related to "the device" but not exactly means "the device" (not exactly indicates the device which is currently in matter)�. What would you say if you want to indicate "the device" which was mentioned before and is currently in matter? Could anyone help me, please? Thanks in advance. p.s. Can I say "the device in matter" as well as "the device in question"? If yes, which is more common?

[woofgang]

well the formal word would be "aforementioned".
I have never heard "the device in matter" used and I am a reasonably well educated native English speaker.
The relevant device cetainly indicates that you are discussing more than one device and you are leaving it up to the reader to decide which device you are talking about. If yu are only talikng about one device then you might give it its proper name the first time you mention it and add in brackets "hereinafter referred to as..."
Example The Scleswig-Holstein Super Widget (hereinafter referred to as "the device")
hope this helps!

[japprends]

Thanks for your prompt reply, woofgang.

"aforementioned" could be useful and thanks for telling me how to use <hereinafter referred to as "...">.

I am receiving complaints from our customers using my company's product, and need to translate them into English to report to the headquarters. It does not necessary for us to write it in a formal manner, so �aformentioned� would be too formal for my case�but �relevant device� might cause some confusion�

In most cases, I mention only one device with malfunctions in a report, but sometimes I need to mention another device besides the complaint device, where I need to clarify and specify which device I am talking about.

How about complaint device/ reported device in this situation? Or any other idea?
Thanks

[woofgang]

Okay, for your purposes, I think that "the device in question" is the best fit. "complaint device" isn't good English but "reported device" is okay.
I think for clarity, you best way forward might be to use the actual name of the device which has been complained about using the full name the first time and if it has an abbreviation putting it in brackets after the full name the first time then using the abbreviation afterwards thus
"The high definition television set (HDTV) exploded during the night. The customer states that HDTV had not been left switched on or misused in any way."
You can also use "former" and "latter" to refer to two objects that you have mentioned before like this
"The customer has purchased both a widget mark 2 and a widget mark 3. She is happy with the former but states that the latter is completely useless."

[sara3]

is this question also available in English?

[japprends]

Thanks again, woofgang!

Very useful answers. I will use �former� and �latter� as well. Thanks.

[ll_billym]

I write a lot of technical documentation and I tend to refer to devices by model name or number (or a foreshortened versions thereof) every time I have to mention them. A bit long winded maybe but I find if you leave any abiguity at all people will auume the wrong thing.

[ll_billym]

I also use a spellchecker!

[japprends]

Thanks ll_billym!