Grammar Repair Shop: Dangling modifiers
Problem: A case of “dangling modifier”: when the subject of your sentence doesn’t agree with the description that precedes it.
Category: Internal Communication
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?'”
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.
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: Avoid gender bias with clever writing
Avoid gender bias with clever writing
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.
Grammar Repair Shop: Is ‘could’ve’ too informal for business?
Problem: Therese Sliwa, Waltham, Mass., wrote about our response in the July “Our Readers Write” column to someone who complained about people writing “could of” for “could’ve” and “should of” for “should’ve.”
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.
Grammar Repair Shop: When is a possessive not a possessive?
Problem: Reader Judy Woodliff asked us whether “elders retreat” should carry an apostrophe after the “s” in “elders” to make it possessive.