BizWritingTip reader: “Is it ‘incidence’ or ‘incidents?’ For example: ‘While the incidence or incidents of illegal dumping has decreased…’ ” BizWritingTip response: This is a great question. Sometimes our English words sound so much alike it is difficult to know which one to use. “Incidence” is a singular noun and refers to the frequency of an occurrence. It cannot […]
BizWritingTip reader: “I was told that it is not correct to add a period after Ms as it isn’t a short form of a word as Mr. is for Mister. Is this correct?” BizWritingTip response: Yes, Ms. is not actually a short form. It was coined by well-known author Germaine Greer and other feminists in the 1970s […]
BizWritingTip reader: “I have heard that it is now acceptable to place a comma before the ‘and’ in a list in a sentence. Is this something that was changed recently? Can you help me out?” BizWritingTip response: When a sentence contains three or more items in a series, place a comma before the “and” to […]
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 […]
BizWritingTip reader: “I have heard that it is now acceptable to place a comma before the ‘and’ in a list in a sentence. Is this something that was changed recently? Can you help me out?” BizWritingTip response: When a sentence contains three or more items in a series, place a comma before the “and” to […]
BizWritingTip reader: “Can you please clarify the correct use of the word ‘oversight’ versus ‘overseeing.’ I’ve been seeing the word ‘oversight’ used in the context of ‘X department is responsible for the oversight of Y project.’ Please clarify the correct usage of the word ‘oversight’ versus ‘to oversee.’ ” BizWritingTip response: “To oversee” is a […]
BizWritingTip reader: “How do you record the time between 11:59 a.m. and 12:01 p.m.? Is there a standard other than 12 noon or should it be avoided by altering the time either way by a minute or two?” BizWritingTip response: This is a question many writers struggle with. But it is actually quite simple. When […]
BizWritingTip reader: “Can you explain the use of apostrophes with words ending in ‘s’? I often forget, e.g., Louis Braille’s system of writing or Louis’ system.” BizWritingTip response: This is a grammar issue that has many writers baffled. But you are correct with your suggestions. To make singular or plural nouns that do not already […]
BizWritingTip reader: “Do you have anything on ‘may’ and ‘might’? I think there are some parallels with ‘can’ and ‘could.’ ” BizWritingTip response: “May” and “might” imply permission or possibility. “Might” is also the past tense of “may.” Examples The report may be accurate. (Possibility) You may call me tomorrow to set up an appointment. (Permission) He said he might have […]
BizWritingTip reader: “When I am writing about a report, should I put quotation marks around the title?” BizWritingTip response: When referring to completed reports, books, magazines, newspapers, or pamphlets, you should bold or italicize the title. Never use more than one design technique. Examples I need to replace my copy of the Paperback Oxford Canadian Dictionary. […]