Jan’s question: “When referring to a 21 bed unit or a 2 year term contract, is it 21 bed or 21-bed? And is it a 2 year or two-year contract?” BizWritingTip response: Again, great questions — taking two different rules into account. First, when a number (e.g., 21) and a noun (e.g., beds) form one thought and […]
Up to date is an example of a phrase that can turn itself into a compound adjective – up-to-date. (A compound adjective is made up of two or more words that express one thought. In other words, it is not an up report, a to report, or a date report. It is an up-to-date report.) Example (adjective phrase – Correct) The forecast is not up to date. […]
Just as some grammar rules have changed, so too are numbers in for an overhaul. Several BizWtitingTip readers have pointed out that many of the blue population signs on major highways are missing the commas that designate thousands. This is the international way of expressing numbers. When numbers run to five or more figures, spaces […]
One of my grammar books states that people who say “between you and I” commit an error of “unsurpassable grossness.”’ I think this statement is overkill. However, “between you and I” is an undeniable grammar error. “Between” is a preposition. The pronouns following must be in the objective form. Therefore, the correct answer — the […]
Just wanted to point out a truly Canadian company – Tim Hortons. If you ever participate in their Roll-Up-the-Rim-to-Win contest, you will notice the numbers on their disposable coffee cups do not have commas to indicate thousands. This is the metric way of writing numbers and also the international style. Canada went metric in the […]
A BizWritingTip reader wrote: “A topic that is confusing to me is the correct use of the apostrophe in the word it’s. I have seen it written as it’s, its’ and its. What is correct?” BizWritingTip Response: This is an easy question to answer. First of all — never use its’. It’s wrong, and it has always been wrong. Now, let’s […]
When should I use metric as opposed to imperial measurements? Although the Canadian style is to use metric for most measurements, there are a few exceptions, such as personal weights and heights, two-by-fours, quarter-inch screws, some sports, etc. Example A three-kilogram packet costs $4. She is 5 feet 8 inches tall. (Always use numbers rather […]
I am noticing a tendency for writers to use single quotes in their documents. However, this is lazy. Double quotes should be the norm. Single quotes are used in two places. 1. Use single quotes to set off material already inside double quotes. Example At the last strategic planning session, the chair said, “We should […]
Carlene’s question: “I am trying to find a good reference for a text style guide. I want to address readability of word-based text documents. Are you aware of a guide that provides information on how to use headings, bolding, font size, etc.?” BizWritingTip response: Design is a very personal thing, and many organizations have even […]
Thank you is an important word, but it’s too bad it is often misused. There is thank you and thank-you. However, these two forms have three different uses: Thank you = verb form Thank-you = noun Thank-you = adjective Thank you is from the verb “to thank.” The object is “you.” You can tell if thank you is the right word, if you […]