BizWritingTip reader: “I struggle with the use of ‘who’ vs. ‘whom.’ Please send me a foolproof explanation with lots of examples.” BizWritingTip response: The rules for “who” and “whom” are the same as for “I” and “me.” If it is used as the subject in a sentence, you use “I” or “who.” If it is […]
BizWritingTip reader: “In a previous BizWritingTip, you wrote: ‘He said he liked to only read in his native language.’ I believe its placement should appear as follows: ‘He said he liked to read only in his native language.’ ” BizWritingTip response: Thank you for the feedback. However, I really liked splitting my infinitive in this […]
BizWritingTip reader: “I never know when it is correct to use the word ‘whose.’ Can you please clarify this word’s proper usage?” BizWritingTip response: “Whose” is the possessive form for the word “who.” It will always be followed by a noun (person, place or thing). Examples Whose proposal was chosen? Whose idea was it? In […]
Pam’s question: “I am responsible for editing various financial documents. In the explanations provided, examples are often included. Can you please clarify the use of eg and ie and how to punctuate them?” BizWritingTip response: The abbreviation i.e. stands for the Latin id est. Translated it means “that is.” Think of it as saying “in […]
BizWritingTip reader: “Will you explain with regard to, with regards to, in regards to, and in regard to? It is used so often in so many different ways. What is correct?” BizWritingTip response: I agree. This phrase is often misused. With regard to or in regard to are interchangeable. They mean “with respect to.” Examples (correct) In regard to your question … With regard […]
BizWritingTip reader: “I received an email that contained the word these’re. A list of clients was provided and the message stated ‘I think these’re deceased clients.’ Is this correct grammar? Can any word be used in a contraction? It looked a little strange to me.” BizWritingTip response: A contraction is a word or phrase that has been shortened […]
When you are writing a sentence that contains hyphenated adjectives with the same last word, delete all the repeated words except for the last one; however, keep the hyphens to indicate a connection to the last word. This is the rule of the suspended hyphen. Examples (incorrect) Long-term or short-term loan Open-door and closed-door policies Two-door […]
Phil’s question: “I have been asked to write a policy for our department. I am not sure when to use ‘should’ or ‘must.’ Can you please explain the difference?” BizWritingTip response: A number of organizations seem to be writing or rewriting their policies and procedures nowadays, and this is a common question. The two words imply […]
BizWritingTip reader: “We are having a debate in our office about the use of ‘as of’ or ‘as at’ to describe a statistic that pertains to one point in time. I think ‘As at December 2010, the number of X in Y program was Z’ is correct.” BizWritingTip response: This is quite an interesting point. […]
BizWritingTip reader: “When writing a report is it correct to always use the third person?” BizWritingTip response: Third person pronouns are the words he or she, it, they and their variations. Yes, you can use these pronouns in a report, but I would never say “always.” Before you begin a report, you need to determine both the purpose of the […]