BizWritingTip reader: “I am not sure when to use ‘could’ as opposed to ‘would.’ For example, I often write: ‘Would you be able to send me the figures?’ It seems more polite, but is it grammatically correct?” BizWritingTip response: Yes. It is grammatically correct. “Would” and “could” are similar words with slightly different meanings. It […]
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: “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 […]
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: “Would you please help me with the difference between ‘diagnoses’ and ‘diagnosis’? Are these words singular and plural?” BizWritingTip response: “Diagnosis” is a singular word meaning the identification of an illness or disease by means of a patient’s symptoms. Example Dr. House’s diagnosis was accurate – as usual. The word “diagnoses” is the […]
Pam’s question: “I am curious about the appropriate use of ‘premise’ and ‘premises.’ I never see ‘premise,’ but I understand it is the singular form of ‘premises.’However, I continue to see ‘premises,’ e.g., people refer to premises lease rather than premise lease.” BizWritingTip response: When I teach a grammar course, I tell people that for every English grammar rule […]
BizWritingTip reader: “I’m very confused as to when to use the words ‘lunch’ and ‘luncheon,’ ‘company,’ and ‘accompany.’ The first two seem to have the same meaning.” BizWritingTip response: The words lunch and luncheon refer to the lightest meal of the day, normally consumed at mid-day. However, a luncheon is more formal. I would expect it to be a sit-down affair […]
Marlene’s question: “I hear people say ‘zero dollars.’ If it’s zero, shouldn’t it be ‘zero dollar’?” BizWritingTip response: “Zero” can be used as a noun, verb or adjective. Examples (correct) Turn the dial to zero. (Zero is a singular noun.) We all got zeros on the test. (Zero is a plural noun.) She quickly zeroed in […]
BizWritingTip reader: “So what is correct: Let’s discuss it in the morning or lets discuss it in the morning?” BizWritingTip response: Many business people associate apostrophes with possession. However, the apostrophe was initially used in the 16th century to indicate the omission of letters. It turns words into a contraction. (It wasn’t until the 17th century that printers […]