Grammar Repair Shop: When to choose ‘a’ vs. ‘an’
Problem: “I know to use the article ‘an’ before a vowel,” writes Penny Perkins, Dayton, Ohio. “Do you use ‘an’ before a silent ‘h,’ as in ‘an honor student?'”
Category: Communication
Grammar Repair Shop: Will they understand every word?
Problem: Moni Jackson, Toms River, N.J., takes minutes during a board of directors meeting. “At a recent session, the vice president stated that policies should be reviewed biannually,” Jackson told us. “I found out later that she actually meant once every two years. I believe the word should be ‘biennially.'”
Cubicle etiquette: Don’t be a prairie dog
If you’ve noticed a lack of “cubicle etiquette” around the office lately, distribute the following “good neighbor” checklist to your co-workers. Example: Don’t be an office prairie dog. Instead of popping your head over the top of a partition, walk around it to see your neighbor.
Grammar Repair Shop: Avoid gender bias with clever writing
Avoid gender bias with clever writing
Catch more errors
Catch more errors by proofreading the last section of a document first.
Make your instructions more memorable
Make your instructions more memorable by boiling down your main point to its essence and phrasing it so people can easily recall and repeat it.
Choose the correct word every time
Close isn’t good enough when it comes to business communication. The person reading your correspondence or memo might understand your meaning if you use almost-correct words, but you’ll lose respect from those who know the difference. Test your knowledge of these commonly confused words by selecting the right one for each sentence: 1. Our manufacturing […]
make the most of your office
The most effective spot to place a reminder may not lie within the system you commonly use.
Grammar Repair Shop: Maintain a short list of words to capitalize
Problem: Several readers have asked recently about whether to capitalize particular words, ranging from job titles to seasons.
Why clear writing counts so much
When dashing off your next memo, report or e-mail, cut right to the core points. HR directors from half of the 120 major American corporations polled in a recent study said they consider writing ability when making promotions. “You can’t move up without writing skills,” one HR director said.