Here are a few reminders to ensure your documents are clear and concise: Keep your average sentence length to 18 words. Avoid sentences that require more than four pieces of punctuation. Keep opening paragraphs under four lines in a print document and under three lines in a screen document. Keep body paragraphs under eight lines […]
Pat’s question: “Could you please discuss the grammatical misuse of the word ‘yourself.’ For example, I have heard people answer the question ‘How are you?’ by saying ‘Fine. And yourself?’ Shouldn’t it be ‘Fine. And you?’ ” BizwritingTip response: You are correct. “Yourself” is a reflexive pronoun. Reflexive pronouns are those that end in –self […]
Karyn’s question: “Came across this in some minutes and it sounded wrong. Interim Prevention Council Hasn’t had the first meeting yet, but it will be soon. What do you think?” BizWritingTip response: There are a couple of points I would like to address here. First, because the word “Council” is being used as a collective noun, […]
Rick’s question: “Are these words the same? I had build a small light display and, on the weekend, I took it apart. I announced I was unassembling it. My girlfriend said ‘no.’ I was disassembling it. I didn’t think there was a difference.” BizWritingTip response: Sorry. I have to go with your girlfriend on this one. If you are taking […]
Gillian and Char’s question: “What are the rules today to indicate a plural possessive (e.g., six hats that belong to girls)? We have come across situations where the apostrophe is left out or appears before the ‘s’ in girls, e.g., “six girl’s hats.” Which is correct?” BizWritingTip response: First, you are right. “Six girl’s hats” is […]
Julie’s question: “A few of us are in dispute over the use of the word ‘slow’ or ‘slowly.’ For example,The wound healed slow or The wound healed slowly. I think either is fine, but my friend insists it should be ‘slowly’. Can you settle this?” BizWritingTip response: I can see why this is confusing. I often hear newscasters […]
Bonnie’s question: “In one of your biztips, would you please explain how to write terms such as ‘up to date’ and ‘cost effective’ as adjectives?” BIzWritingTip response: Sometimes, words change the way they are written because of their order in a sentence. When two or more words form one unit and are placed before a noun, […]
Paulo’s question: “Could you clarify the use of ‘come’ versus ‘go,’ as well as ‘bring’ versus ‘take?’ I find it strange that someone would write: ‘Yes, I am coming, and I’ll bring wine.’ ” BizWritingTip response: Use “come” and “go” when you are referring to movement. Use “bring” and “take” when carrying something. Now for the […]
Bill’s question: “I have seen parentheses with the period both inside and outside the brackets. Which is correct?” BizWritingTip response: The rules for punctuation with brackets — or parentheses — are actually quite simple. If the material inside the brackets is a sentence fragment or an acronym, place the period outside the bracket. Examples I am […]
Jean’s question: “Just wondering if you could clarify the use of parentheses. I have a colleague who uses parentheses because she finds them ‘cleaner.’ I beg to differ.” BizWritingTip response: When you have material within a sentence that is not essential to the meaning of the sentence, you must set this material off. You could […]