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Use your browser's Find function to look for tips that apply to your particular situation.
Tools to help you include Bull's Eye Business Writing (a
self-paced workbook) and How To Improve Your Business Reading Skills (also on
CD-ROM)--all from Basic Learning Systems, Inc. 888-204-3600 * See our Web
site at http://www.basic-learning.com
| Tip #491: The name of a publication or product is considered singular,
even though it may be plural in form. For example: Consumer Reports is
publishing an update on minivans. http://www.basic-learning.com |
| Tip #492: Who vs. whom. If you're confused over when to use "who" or
"whom" use this trick: substitute the word he/she or him/her and notice
Example: Ms. Stevens is the one (who, whom) had the highest sales this quarter. "Her had the highest sales" doesn't sound correct. http://www.basic-learning.com |
| Tip #493: If two people own the same thing, use apostrophe and 's' for
the second person only. Example: Jim and Sandy's boss makes their
accounting work more pleasurable by offering frequent breaks. If they
don't share the same thing, use an apostrophe and 's' for both. ************ Choose the correct answer: 1. (Shari , Shari's) and (Leslie, Leslie's) desks have been replaced. 2. (Bob, Bob's) and (Mara, Mara's) walk together was cut short. 3. (Greg, Greg's) and (Jan, Jan's) ride to the 5th floor was done in silence. See answers below. Today's tip is going out to over 17,140 subscribers. E-mail marsha@basic- ************ Quote of the week: It is your attitude, not your aptitude, that determines your altitude." Zig Ziglar If you would like to receive the FREE weekly tips by e-mail, contact tips@basic-learning.com and write "Sign Me Up" in the subject line. http://www.basic-learning.com |
| Tip #494: Often, words are spelled
differently than they sound. A common example is "would have." Its
contraction form "would've" is often misspelled "would of." ************ Choose the correct answer: 1. I (should have, should of) turned off my computer before I left the office. 2. If you want a raise, you (oughta, ought to) get to work on time. 3. He (could of, could have) brought that up at the meeting. Today's tip is going out to over 17,000 subscribers. E-mail marsha@basic- ************ Quote of the week: Education is the most valuable weapon which you can use to change the world.--Nelson Mandela ************ Vocabulary word of the week: Pundit(n.: a person who gives opinions, usually through the mass media; a critic. Example: We hear from many pundits during the campaign. ************ Answers: 1. I should have turned off my computer before I left the office. 2. If you want a raise, you ought to get to work on time. 3. He could have brought that up at the meeting. If you would like to receive the FREE weekly tips by e-mail, contact tips@basic-learning.com and write "Sign Me Up" in the subject line. http://www.basic-learning.com |
| Tip #495: If an entire sentence is an
exclamation and the ending words are exact words in quotation, place the
exclamation mark after the quotation. Example: I was shocked when my
co-worker smugly said, "No way"! If only the quotation is an
exclamation, place the exclamation mark before the quotation marks.
Example: I believe she's the person who yelled, "Fire!" http://www.basic-learning.com |
| Tip #496: The words explicit and implicit
are often confused. Explicit means clearly expressed, while implicit
means implied. http://www.basic-learning.com |
| Tip #497: Do not model advertising slogans
in your business writing. Some of the slogans may contain improper
grammar. http://www.basic-learning.com |
| Tip #498: Although the conjunction "as well as" joins two like items, it does not affect whether the verb is singular or plural. Example: The union official, as well as the workers, agrees to the terms. ************ Choose the correct answer: 1. Administrative assistants, as well as supervisors, (is, are) being hired. 2. Mr. Chang, as well as his employees, (is, are) on vacation. 3. The lawyer, as well as his secretary, (is, are) out of the office. These weekly tips are sent out to over 17,000 subscribers worldwide each week. Sign up at marsha@basic-learning.com ************ Quote of the week: Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony. --- Mohandas Gandhi ************ Vocabulary word of the week: Juggernaut(n. ************ Answers: 1. Administrative assistants, as well as supervisors, are being hired. 2. Mr. Chang, as well as his employees, is on vacation. 3. The lawyer, as well as his secretary, is out of the office. If you would like to receive the FREE weekly tips by e-mail, contact tips@basic-learning.com and write "Sign Me Up" in the subject line. http://www.basic-learning.com |
| Tip #499: Correct the following. Answers will vary: 1. Working late. 2. Spending the entire budget by July. 3. Speaking to my co-workers. ************ Quote of the week: Defeat is not the worst of failures. Not to have tried is the true failure. –George E. Woodbury, 1855-1930, U.S. Literary Critic/Poet ************ Vocabulary word of the week: Egregious (adj.) conspicuously or very bad. Example: The news media couldn't wait to report the candidate's egregious error of mispronouncing the prime minister's name. ************ Answers will vary. Suggested answers: 1. Working late was not my choice. 2. Spending the entire budget by July created problems. 3. Speaking to my co-workers eased my concerns.
http://www.basic-learning.com |
| Tip#500 As a general rule, numbers 1
through 10 may be represented in their numeral form; anything above that
should be spelled out in letters. However, when there are two numbers in
a sentence and one is 1 through 10 and the other is greater than 10,
both numbers should be spelled out. http://www.basic-learning.com |
Writing for Trade Publications | Active Voice | http://www.atozwriting.com
To turbocharge your own writing skills, visit http://www.basic-learning.com
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