Posted by on May 18, 2012 in Feature Article | 0 comments

Spelling: I before e

BizWritingTip reader: “I learned the rule ‘I before e except after c’ many years ago. A colleague of mine stated there are exceptions to this rule, and I am curious as to what words those would be. Can you give me an example when ‘i’ can be used before the ‘e’? Is there a rule that will remind me?” BizWritingTip response: I also remember learning this rhyme years ago. But there are many exceptions to the rule: beige, codeine, deify, deity, deign, dreidel, eider, eight,...
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Posted by on May 17, 2012 in Feature Article | 0 comments

Electronic Dictionaries

As I explained in an earlier BizWritingTip, every business writer should have access to a good dictionary. Relying solely on your computer’s spell checker is not a good idea. It just doesn’t provide enough information. Frankly, I’m old fashioned and enjoy the feel of a print dictionary. I really like my old Oxford Canadian Dictionary. However, I realize there a number of people – for a variety of reasons — who prefer an electronic version. That’s why I asked my BizWritingTip readers to tell...
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Posted by on May 18, 2012 | 0 comments

Spelling: I before e

BizWritingTip reader: “I learned the rule ‘I before e except after c’ many years ago. A colleague of mine stated there are exceptions to this rule, and I am curious as to what words those would be. Can you give me an example when ‘i’ can be used before the ‘e’? Is there a rule that will remind me?” BizWritingTip response: I also remember learning this rhyme years ago. But...
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Posted by on May 17, 2012 | 0 comments

Electronic Dictionaries

As I explained in an earlier BizWritingTip, every business writer should have access to a good dictionary. Relying solely on your computer’s spell checker is not a good idea. It just doesn’t provide enough information. Frankly, I’m old fashioned and enjoy the feel of a print dictionary. I really like my old Oxford Canadian Dictionary. However, I realize there a number of people – for a variety of...
Read More
Posted by on May 16, 2012 | 0 comments

Dictionaries

BizWritingTip reader: “You always mention about having an up-to-date dictionary. Can you please tell us if there is any up-to-date internet dictionary that we can refer to?” BizWritingTip response: I prefer a hard copy dictionary because in looking up one word I often glance at surrounding words and in helps to keep my English “fresh.” (Online dictionaries seldom show other words.) And I just like...
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Posted by on May 14, 2012 | 0 comments

You Are What You Read

Abraham Lincoln often said that he taught himself through reading. This is true of many great leaders. The ability to read means that people can educate themselves to overcome problems. Unfortunately, today we receive much information by radio, TV, and other multi-media sources. Yet none of these mechanisms have the ability to improve our reading skills. In addition, in the workplace we have so much to...
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Posted by on May 14, 2012 | 0 comments

Word Choice – Try To...

Ketta’s question: “Can you please provide some examples of the proper usage of ‘try to’ and ‘try and?’ ” BizWritingTip response: I was taught that when the first verb is a strong request the second verb should be in the infinitive form (to + a verb). Therefore, the phrase should be “try to.” However, according to the Oxford Dictionary, “try to” is considered formal and “try and”...
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Posted by on May 11, 2012 | 0 comments

Word Choice – On Beh...

Graham’s question: “Can you shed some light on the the usage of ‘on behalf of’? For example, if I am acknowledging someone, is it correct for me to say ‘on behalf of myself and the group, I would like to thank you for …’ If I am the one delivering, is it not redundant to state it is on behalf of myself?” BizWritingTip response: This question deals with a number of grammar issues....
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