Dee’s question: “Please provide some examples on the proper usage of the words ‘facilitates’ and ‘coordinates.’ ” BizWritingTip response: “To facilitate” means to make something easier or less difficult. It also involves assisting or leading people to arrive at an understanding. Example He was hired to facilitate a panel discussion on the economy. (He will […]
Rob’s question: “I just received an email saying that the attachment was the ‘last update on the project.’ As the project will continue for six more months is this correct?” BizWritingTip response: “The last update” implies you are receiving the final update on the project. You will not be receiving anything else. The sender should have […]
Gigi’s question: “I would like to know the difference between ‘as at’ and ‘as of.’ ” BizWritingTip response: As of is used to indicate a time or date at which something begins or ends. Although precise, it sounds rather formal. Example The project was terminated as of January 1. (Less formal: The project has been terminated since January 1.) You […]
Candice’s question: “In my office, several people are now saying and writing ‘My ask of you is…’ when they are requesting action. Is this correct? It seems to me it should be “May I ask you to…?” BizWritingTip response: Wow! This statement is funny and is also wrong in many ways. First, it comes across as […]
Be Your Boss’ Boss I was on the Go Train last week and cringed to see this slogan on a poster from a well known association. It’s a grammatical error. When you make a one-syllable word ending in “s,” “x,” or “z” possessive, you must add an apostrophe plus an additional “s.” Examples (correct – one-syllable […]
Jennifer’s question: “A bone of contention has arisen as to whether ‘dislike’ is synonymous with ‘do not like.’ For example, I maintain that the statements ‘We do not like tardiness’ and ‘We dislike tardiness’ are synonymous.” BizWritingTip response: I understand your rationale. According to the dictionary, both phrases – dislike and do not like — have the same meaning. However, […]
Roger’s question: “When do you use double quotation marks as opposed to single ones?” BizWritingTip response: Quotation marks have three main functions: 1) to indicate exact words 2) to set off words for special effect 3) to show parts of a complete published work Normally, you would use double quotation marks in all three cases. However, […]
Delores’ question: “In many of our communications, we need to specify a response within a certain timeframe. The format currently being used is ‘Please confirm your attendance by no later than (date).’ Could you also write ‘Please confirm your attendance by (date)’?” BizWritingTip response: Both versions are correct. It all depends on the tone you […]
Linden’s question: “I’m wondering about the difference between ‘continuous’ and ‘continual.’ We’re trying to develop a mission statement and are debating whether we trying to ‘continually achieve excellence’ or are trying to ‘continuously achieve excellence.’ Or does it matter which word we use?” BizWritingTip response: These two words are often interchanged but, according to the Oxford […]
Rebecca’s question: “My question is when do you use ‘ie’ and when do you use ‘eg’? Of course, along with that question I also need to know what is the proper punctuation to be used with them.” BizWritingTip response: The abbreviation i.e. represents the Latin term “id est” meaning that is. The term e.g. – […]