BizWritingTip reader: “I’m very confused as to when to use the words ‘lunch’ and ‘luncheon,’ ‘company,’ and ‘accompany.’ The first two seem to have the same meaning.” BizWritingTip response: The words lunch and luncheon refer to the lightest meal of the day, normally consumed at mid-day. However, a luncheon is more formal. I would expect it to be a sit-down affair […]
Word Choice – Lunch/Luncheon and Company/Accompany
in Word ChoiceBizWritingTip reader: “I’m very confused as to when to use the words ‘lunch’ and ‘luncheon,’ ‘company,’ and ‘accompany.’ The first two seem to have the same meaning.” BizWritingTip response: The words lunch and luncheon refer to the lightest meal of the day, normally consumed at mid-day. However, a luncheon is more formal. I would expect it to be a sit-down affair […]
Information/Fun – To the Grammar Gurus
in StyleA number of BizWritingTip readers were concerned about an example I provided recently to explain the placement of punctuation with quotation marks. The BizWritingTip said that when using question marks and exclamation points, place the punctuation inside the closing quotation mark, when it applies to the quoted material only; place it outside the closing quotation […]
Grammar Tip – Exclamation Marks Versus Question Marks
in GrammarBizWritingTip reader: “In a previous BizWritingTip, you ended it with ‘Having fun yet!’ Shouldn’t this have a question mark at the end rather than an exclamation mark?” BizWritingTip response: This is a great question! Question marks are used for questions – real and rhetorical. (A rhetorical question does not require an answer.) Examples Can you […]
Writing Style – Unnecessary Words
in -Latest, Feature Article, StyleHilary’s question: “I often see sentences that I think overuse the word ‘of,’ e.g., ‘He lived outside of Canada’ or ‘She peered out of the window.’ Isn’t this incorrect?” BizWritingTip response: This is actually a style issue rather than a grammar one. The term “outside of” is considered acceptable North American informal speech. However, business writing […]
Information/Fun – National Grammar Day
in StyleThe Society for the Promotion of Good Grammar has declared March 4, National Grammar Day. How do you celebrate it? Speak well! Write well! Read well! And on March 4, if you see a sign with an appalling apostrophe, send a kind note to the owner. If your local radio announcer says “between you and I,” set […]
Grammar Tip – Hyphens – Part II
in GrammarIn a previous post, we discussed some of the rules surrounding hyphens, and I promised to provide more guidelines in this BizWritingTip. I did say not to put a hyphen between a compound adjective (two adjectives) when the first word ends in “ly.” Examples (correct) Environmentally friendly packaging Poorly written report There is, however, an exception: When […]
Word Choice – Zero Dollars or Zero Dollar
in -Latest, Feature Article, Word ChoiceMarlene’s question: “I hear people say ‘zero dollars.’ If it’s zero, shouldn’t it be ‘zero dollar’?” BizWritingTip response: “Zero” can be used as a noun, verb or adjective. Examples (correct) Turn the dial to zero. (Zero is a singular noun.) We all got zeros on the test. (Zero is a plural noun.) She quickly zeroed in […]
Word Choice – Let’s Versus Lets
in Word ChoiceBizWritingTip reader: “So what is correct: Let’s discuss it in the morning or lets discuss it in the morning?” BizWritingTip response: Many business people associate apostrophes with possession. However, the apostrophe was initially used in the 16th century to indicate the omission of letters. It turns words into a contraction. (It wasn’t until the 17th century that printers […]
Writing Style – Addressing Letters
in StyleA BizWritingTip reader has asked us to review the best practices for sending letters to people you don’t know. In years past, it was acceptable to begin a letter to someone you didn’t know with Dear Sir/Madam or Dear Ladies and Gentlemen. (Note: There is no “e”on madam.) However, the North American business culture is […]
Grammar Tip – Hyphens – Part I
in GrammarBizWritingTip reader: “I was wondering if you can provide an abbreviated guide as to which words are hyphenated. I think you provided a short piece on this some time ago, but I since learned there are other rules also.” BizWritingTip response: This is quite a complicated grammar question involving a number of rules and exceptions. […]