Whenever a business person says he or she can no longer write with a pen or pencil, I automatically know two things about them. One, they edit their documents on their computer screens. Two, their work will most likely contain typos, extra words, or missing words. It is extremely difficult to edit or to proofread […]
Word Choice – Affect Versus Effect
in Word ChoiceAffect and effect are two words that are often confused. A good rule to remember is to use affect for a verb and effect for a noun. However, if you are someone who struggles with determining nouns and verbs, here is an easier way to choose the right word. If you can substitute the words influence or change in the […]
Writing Style – The alphabet soup of emails
in StyleDuring a recent workshop, I gave the participants an opportunity to vent their pet peeves regarding emails. One manager said he was not comfortable with staff members including personal remarks in their messages. He didn’t consider it professional, and it could be construed as harassment. The other participants looked blank until someone figured out what […]
Grammar Tip – Sentences: fragments or run-ons
in GrammarThere is nothing that ruins a writer’s professional image faster than grammatically-poor sentences. A sentence must contain a subject and a verb and must express a complete thought. Examples The report was written. I wrote the report. Both of these examples contain a subject and a verb and state a complete thought. A sentence may […]
Word Choice – Disinterested Versus Uninterested
in Feature Article, Word ChoiceRick’s question: “Is there a difference between ‘disinterested’ and ‘uninterested’? Or are they interchangeable?” BizWritingTip response: Thank you for pointing out this common error. Yes, many people do interchange these words. But they have different meanings. “Disinterested” means unbiased or impartial. In other words, a disinterested person cannot be influenced to his or her own […]
Word Choice – Amongst and Whilst
in Word ChoiceSeveral BizWritingTip readers have questioned the use of amongst and whilst. According to the Oxford Canadian Dictionary, amongst is interchangeable with among, meaning between. Normally, among is used when referring to two or more things. Correct Let’s divide the work equally among us. Let’s divide the work equally amongst us. Note: Although amongst is considered acceptable, I do not see many people using it. […]
Writing Style – I can no longer write with a pen or pencil!
in StyleWhenever a business person says he or she can no longer write with a pen or pencil, I automatically know two things about them. One, they edit their documents on their computer screens. Two, their work will most likely contain typos, extra words, or missing words. It is extremely difficult to edit or to proofread […]
Grammar Tip – In regard to …
in GrammarIn regard to and with regard to are two very common phrases in business communication. Yet why do so many people get them wrong? Why do so many writers want to add an “s” to regard? Incorrect With regards to compiling the binders … The correct phrases are with regard to … and in regard to … Correct With regard to compiling the binders … […]
Word Choice – First Versus Firstly
in Feature Article, Word ChoiceDominique’s question: “Which sentence is correct: ‘Firstly, I would like to let you know that …’ or ‘First of all, I would like to let you know …’ I wrote to a colleague in the States who claims she has never heard of the word ‘firstly.’ ” Bizwritingtip response: This is a writing style issue […]
Word Choice – Until Versus Till
in Word ChoiceA BizWtitingTip reader wants to know when you use until versus till. Until is a preposition and means “up to or as late as,” “up to the time of,” “up to the time when,” and “so long that.” Examples We waited until 6 p.m. The project was on time until the project manager left. I worked on the computer until […]
Writing Style – To Justify or Not to Justify
in StyleI recently received an email from someone curious about the rules for justifying reports. Justification relates to the alignment of text. When the text is aligned at both margins of a document, it is called “fully justified.” When it is aligned only on the left margin, it is said to have a “ragged right” margin. […]