Writing Tips: 531 - 540

You should receive your order sometime next week. [Sometime = some unspecified time]

Sometimes doing the same project becomes tiring. [Sometimes = now and then]

It took me some time to understand the requirements of the job. [Some time = a period of time]

I bought this stock some time ago. [Some time = a long time ago]

Let friends and co-workers know about our weekly tips. They can sign up at: info@basic-learning.com.

Quiz

Insert "sometime," "sometimes," or "some time" in the blank.

1. I have been planning this party for ___________.

2. Our manager's expressions are _______________ difficult to understand.

3. I will call you ___________ tomorrow.

4. I am planning to spend ___________ in training.

Vocabulary Word of the Week

Condescending (adj.): displaying a patronizingly superior attitude.

Ex: The president addressed his assistant in a particularly condescending tone.

Quote of the Wee

Change your thoughts and you change your world.

---Norman Vincent Peale, preacher and author of The Power of Positive Thinking

Quiz Answers

1. I have been planning this party for some time.

2. Our manager's expressions are sometimes difficult to understand.

3. I will call you sometime tomorrow.

4. I am planning to spend some time in training.

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

Parenthesis should be used in the following two instances:

1. When enclosing additional or less important information that is used as further explanation or as an added detail.

Ex: The Administrative Assistant (the one that was recently hired) has proposed a new telephone procedure.

2. When enclosing numbers or letters that enumerate items in a list.

Ex: The three items we will discuss in the meeting are (1) purchase orders, (2) planning for the holiday party, and (3) annual employee evaluations.

Let friends and co-workers know about our weekly tips. They can sign up at: info@basic-learning.com.



Quiz
Insert parentheses where appropriate:

1. The office holiday party will be held in room 415 the one where we had the party last year.

2. The resume for Frank Molliner whom you met last week is attached.

3. Please discuss 1 new emergency procedures, 2 lateness policies, and 3 the new course offerings when you come together for the next staff meeting.

 

Vocabulary Word of the Week
Dissipate (v.) : to disperse, to use up, to vanish.

Ex: The energy of the participants started to dissipate when the meeting entered its third hour.


Quote of the Week
The royal road to a man's heart is to talk to him about the things he treasures most.

---Dale Carnegie, author of How to Win Friends and Influence People


Quiz Answers
1. The office holiday party will be held in room 415 (the one where we had the party last year).

2. The resume for Frank Molliner (whom you met last week) is attached.

3. Please discuss (1) new emergency procedures, (2) lateness policies, and (3) the new course offerings when you come together for the next staff 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

Most readers prefer active voice verbs because they are clearer and more direct. They immediately point out the doer of the action. Consider the difference:

[Passive] Complaints have been lodged against the new vice president of finance. [Active] Fifteen employees have filed complaints against the new vice president of finance.

The following are good reasons to use the passive voice instead of the active voice: 1. When the doer of the action is not important. Ex: The meeting is scheduled for tomorrow morning. 2. When you want to maintain a tone of objectivity or wish to draw the focus away from yourself. Ex: It was noted by many that the evening was a success.

1. Andrew submitted the proposal on Monday.

2. Your complaint will be processed.

3. I ran the meeting well.

4. A new paint color needs to be selected for our office.

Vocabulary Word of the Week Obliterate (v.): to do away with, erase, wipe out.

Ex: The crooks were careful to obliterate any signs of their forced entry. Quote of the Week Good words are worth much, and cost little.

--- George Herbert, early 17th century poet

Quiz Answers

Suggested answers:

1. The proposal was submitted on Monday.

2. A member of our team will process your complaint.

3. The meeting ran well.

4. We need to select a new paint color for our 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

Quotation marks are used to create special emphasis in the following cases:

1. When using a slang expression or pointing out a deliberate misspelling. Ex.: President Bush addressed the nation about the "nucular" weapons.

2. When using words or phrases that play an abnormal grammatical role in a sentence. Ex.: The new employee showed a "can do" attitude.

3. When using words or phrases introduced by such expressions as marked, labeled, titled, etc. Ex.: The bottle was labeled "poison."

4. When using jargon or technical words or phrases that the reader may not know. Ex: Our power was disrupted by "momentaries."

When simply referring to a particular word, italics are preferred, although quotation marks can be used as well. Ex. The word so-called should be hyphenated. OR The word "so-called" should be hyphenated. (Note: Basic Learning Systems prefers the use of quotation marks—as seen in our tips—as we feel they stand out more for our readers.)

Quiz

Use a proper method to place emphasis within the sentences.

1. The article titled Today in Arizona can be found on the first page.

2. Code blue is not something one wants to hear while in the hospital.

3. The word sanctimonious is an adjective.

4. Our team has a play to win agenda.

Vocabulary Word of the Week Affable (adj.) - Easy and pleasant to speak to; approachable.

Ex.: The new VP is considered by all to be very affable.

Quotation of the Week Accept the challenges so that you can feel the exhilaration of victory. ---Gen. George S. Patton

Quiz Answers

1. The article titled "Today in Arizona" can be found on the first page.

2. "Code blue" is not something one wants to hear while in the hospital.

3. The word sanctimonious is an adjective. OR The word "sanctimonious" is an adjective.

4. Our team has a "play to win" agenda.


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