Graham’s question: “Can you shed some light on the the usage of ‘on behalf of’? For example, if I am acknowledging someone, is it correct for me to say ‘on behalf of myself and the group, I would like to thank you for …’ If I am the one delivering, is it not redundant to state it is on behalf of […]
Word Choice – This Versus Next
in -Latest, Feature Article, Word ChoiceDoug’s question: “Will you please explain the difference between ‘this’ and ‘next’ as it relates to time? When someone refers to this Friday, I think it is the upcoming Friday. But if someone refers to next Friday, I think it is the following Friday. Is this correct?” BizWritingTip response: I agree with you, Doug. My […]
Email Tip – Name and Signature Boxes in Emails
in -Latest, Emails, Feature ArticleDiane’s question : “How should you sign off at the end of an email? Some people don’t sign off but just use their signature box, which includes their full name. Others place their first name above the signature box.” BizWritingTip response: Either way is correct. It’s all about the tone you want to create. If you […]
Word Choice – Ran Versus Had Run
in -Latest, Word ChoiceTeri’s question: “I occasionally hear someone (namely my husband) say ‘had ran’ instead of simply ‘ran.’ I am at a loss to explain the error to him so the correction sticks. Any advice?” BizWritingTip response: This question deals with the tenses of verbs. “Had ran” is the past perfect tense. “Ran” is the simple past […]
Information/Fun – Wonderful English from Around the World
in -LatestWe thought you might enjoy the following poem sent to us by one of our readers. Thank you Debbie! Wonderful English from Around the World Only the English could have invented this language… We’ll begin with a box, and the plural is boxes, But the plural of ox becomes oxen, not oxes. One fowl is […]
Writing Style – To Justify or not to Justify Text
in Feature ArticleBizWritingTip reader: “Should letters, brochures, etc., be justified or left aligned?” BizWritingTip response: There is no right or wrong answer here. Full justified or aligned text (text with even left and right margins) is considered a formal style and less friendly. But it looks neat. I find that most readers prefer justification in documents with […]
Word Choice – On Behalf of
in -Latest, Word ChoiceGraham’s question: “Can you shed some light on the the usage of ‘on behalf of’? For example, if I am acknowledging someone, is it correct for me to say ‘on behalf of myself and the group, I would like to thank you for …’ If I am the one delivering, is it not redundant to state it is on behalf of […]
Spelling: I before e
in Feature ArticleBizWritingTip reader: “I learned the rule ‘I before e except after c’ many years ago. A colleague of mine stated there are exceptions to this rule, and I am curious as to what words those would be. Can you give me an example when ‘i’ can be used before the ‘e’? Is there a rule […]
Word Choice – Electronic Dictionaries
in Feature ArticleAs I explained in an earlier BizWritingTip, every business writer should have access to a good dictionary. Relying solely on your computer’s spell checker is not a good idea. It just doesn’t provide enough information. Frankly, I’m old fashioned and enjoy the feel of a print dictionary. I really like my old Oxford Canadian Dictionary. However, I […]
Word Choice – Dictionaries
in Feature ArticleBizWritingTip reader: “You always mention about having an up-to-date dictionary. Can you please tell us if there is any up-to-date internet dictionary that we can refer to?” BizWritingTip response: I prefer a hard copy dictionary because in looking up one word I often glance at surrounding words and in helps to keep my English “fresh.” […]
Information/Fun – You Are What You Read
in Feature ArticleAbraham Lincoln often said that he taught himself through reading. This is true of many great leaders. The ability to read means that people can educate themselves to overcome problems. Unfortunately, today we receive much information by radio, TV, and other multi-media sources. Yet none of these mechanisms have the ability to improve our reading […]