A BizWritingTip reader wrote: Something “that bothers me almost as much as ‘irregardless’ — and may be more commonly used — is ‘more importantly.’ Is it just me or is this actually correct?” BizWritingTip Response: I hate to tell this, Peter, but when you are starting a sentence “more important” and “more importantly” are considered […]
Grace’s question: “Is the word ‘learned’ as past tense right or should it be ‘learnt’ instead?” BizWritingTip response: “Learn” is an interesting verb. When using it in the past tense or as a past participle, you have two options. Examples (correct) I learned about the meeting last week. (past tense) I learnt about the meeting last week. […]
A BizWritingTip reader has asked us to comment on the word irregardless. Irregardless is a word that many communicators mistakenly believe is correct in formal writing or speaking. It came into being in the early 20th century, but it has to be one of the most contentious words in the English language. It has been criticized for […]
Ensure, insure and assure are three simple words that are often abused. Ensure means to make sure. It is a good word, but it tends to be overused. Many writers like to place it before most of their verbs. Original If you want to attend the conference, please ensure that you inform Martha Jones so she can submit your […]
The world can be an amusing place when you think as you read. The headline of a community newspaper recently stated: “Two criminals are on the lamb!” Interesting. It leads one to question the wisdom of the escapees. Wouldn’t it have been easier to use a car or to just run? And “the sheep.” Was […]
BizWritingTip reader: “I get mixed up regarding apostrophes with names ending with an ‘s’ or ‘iz’sound. Is it Ross’ book or is it Ross’s book? What about: I’m sending greetings from the Joneses and me?” BizWritingTip response: To make a word ending in s possessive, you must count the syllables. If the word is only one syllable, […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]
Some writers are a little confused as to when to use may versus should versus must. However, golfers should find it easy as the rules of golf explain these words perfectly. May = optional Should = strongly recommend Must = mandatory instruction (a penalty is involved) Therefore, when the rules book state: “A ball on the putting green may be […]