Claire’s question: “What is the correct use of the expression ‘as well’ versus using ‘also’?” BizWritingTip response: Also is an adverb meaning “in addition, likewise, besides, moreover.” As well is an idiom and is defined as “also, in addition, to an equal extent, too.” Although these words appear similar, do not interchange them. Also is […]
Writing Style – Dates
in StyleBizWritingTip reader: “People write dates as Jan 12th, 2011, and others write Jan 12, 2011 or 12th Jan, 2011. Under what circumstances do we need the ‘th’ after the date and is the comma always needed before the year?” BizWritingTip response: For standard business writing in Canada, a semi-formal approach to writing dates is recommended. […]
Grammar Tip – Quotation Marks
in GrammarI have noticed that some business writers have still not updated themselves with regard to the rules for North American quotation marks. The rule in Canada and the U.S. is that all periods and commas are placed inside quotation marks. (Changing the placement of periods and commas according to what is being quoted is the […]
Word Choice – Also Versus As Well
in -Latest, Feature Article, Word ChoiceClaire’s question: “What is the correct use of the expression ‘as well’ versus using ‘also’?” BizWritingTip response: Also is an adverb meaning “in addition, likewise, besides, moreover.” As well is an idiom and is defined as “also, in addition, to an equal extent, too.” Although these words appear similar, do not interchange them. Also is […]
Word Choice – To Versus Too
in Word ChoiceBizWritingTip reader: “When do you use `to’ or ‘too?’ ” BizWritingTip response: Using “too” when it should be “to” is a common mistake today particularly among email writers who don’t always check what they have written.?“To” is one of the more widely used words in the English language, and it has many purposes and definitions. […]
Writing Style – Telephone Numbers
in StyleBizWritingTip reader: “I have started to see phone numbers written with periods rather than hyphens. Which is correct? In addition, do you still put parentheses around the area code?” BizWritingTip response: The elements in a telephone number may be divided by hyphens, diagonal lines, spaces, periods, parentheses or a combination of these. Your choice. Examples (correct) […]
Grammar Tip – Than I Versus Than Me
in GrammarBizWritingTip reader: “I have a question for you. Which is right — he is taller than I or he is taller than me? I see both versions a lot.” BizWritingTip response: Whenever a pronoun follows the words than or as in a comparison, the right pronoun is determined by mentally adding the remaining words. He is taller than I […]
Grammar Tip – Punctuation With Quotation Marks
in -Latest, Feature Article, GrammarSuzanne’s question: “I often struggle with the use of quotation marks in conjunction with periods, question marks, and exclamation marks. I was educated in Scotland, and we sometimes put them outside.” BizWritingTip response: Yes, the North American English rule for using periods with quotation marks is now different from the British English rule. North American […]
Word Choice – Until versus till versus ’til
in Word ChoiceBizWritingTip reader: “I have seen ‘till and ‘til. Which is correct?” BizWritingTip response: First of all, ‘till is incorrect. According to the Oxford Canadian Dictionary, the correct word is till (no apostrophe); it is an accepted variant of until and “may be used interchangeably with it except at the beginning of a sentence.” The decision as to whether to use till or until is often decided by the way […]
Writing Style – As per
in StyleBizWritingTip reader: Would you please clarify if “as per” should be used in reports and business letters, and — if the response is no — please identify the correct wording. BizWritingTip response: “As per” means “in accordance with” or “in response to the request made.” However, the phrase is rarely used today when speaking in the business […]
Grammar Tip – The Slash
in GrammarThe slash (also called a virgule, diagonal, solidus, oblique, or slant) is a punctuation mark that is often overused. And it often creates the impression of a lazy thinker, particularly when used to imply and/or. Most readers and editors dislike this usage. Example We need to get a copy of the presentation in print/electronic form. (This […]