BizWritingTip reader: “Will you please clarify the correct use of ‘that’ versus ‘which’ in qualifying sentences? It seems to me people often use ‘which’ when they should be using ‘that.’ ” BizWritingTip response: It’s interesting that I have received three separate requests for this information in the past two weeks. So although I have dealt […]
As this is the last BizWritingTip for 2011, I wanted to leave you with a smile. Debbie sent me this entertaining message on the word UP. Hope you enjoy it. UP – The Most Versatile Word in The Dictionary This two-letter word in English has more meanings than any other two-letter word, and that word is UP. It is listed in […]
Antonio’s question: “Do you think you could help me in my personal battle against the wrong use of ‘me,’ both in how it’s used and where it’s placed? I am sure you hear ‘me and my cousin went to the movies,’ ‘me and my friend had lunch together’ and on and on… and you want to scream […]
Connie’s question: “I was wondering what you thought the correct abbreviation for continued would be? Is there a standard?” BizwritingTip response: Some words have set abbreviations, e.g., Mr., Sr., and Inc. You will find official abbreviations in the dictionary. Other words are abbreviated by leaving out letters and inserting an apostrophe, e.g., can’t or it’s. […]
Mary’s question: “My current pet peeve is the use of the word instantaneously rather than instantly. It seems rather cumbersome and the words, to me, are synonymous.” BizWritingTip response: Both adverbs are derived from the noun instant (Medieval Latin word instantāneus). And although they tend to overlap, the nuances are different. Instantly means immediately. It implies promptness. Example We phoned for the […]
Kathleen’s question: “Recently, I have noticed replies to me with ‘Thanks, Kathleen.’ The comma annoys me and just looks and sounds wrong. Is this the correct way of writing this?” BizWritingTip response: Grammatically, Thanks, Kathleen means Kathleen is thanking someone else. Thanks, Kathleen is a shortened version of Thanks, Kathleen On the other hand, Thanks Kathleen (no […]
Pam’s question: “I am responsible for editing various financial documents. In the explanations provided, examples are often included. Can you please clarify the use of eg and ie and how to punctuate them?” BizWritingTip response: The abbreviation i.e. stands for the Latin id est. Translated it means “that is.” Think of it as saying “in […]
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 […]
Susan’s question: “I saw this recently on a television network’s van: Now there’s a million ways to connect. Is this correct?” Bizwritingtip response: Good catch. This is not correct. The author elected a catchy slogan over a grammatically correct one. Whenever you start a sentence with “there” or “here” the verb agrees with the closest […]
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 […]