Word Choice – If Versus Whether
Pam’s question: “Please do a future issue on ‘if’ versus ‘whether.’ When asked to review documents, I often see my associates using ‘if’’ incorrectly. I would like to be able to give them a simple explanation.” BizWritingTip response: There are several rules regarding “if” and “whether.” I have tried to simplify them as much as possible. The first rule is the easiest. 1. If you are expressing a simple condition, use “if.” (This is a good example.) Examples If...Word Choice – Safety Versus Security
Paulo’s question: “In the sense of protection from danger, are the words ‘security’ and ‘safety’ interchangeable?” BizWritingTip response: People often confuse these words. Although the thought process is close, the words are not interchangeable. Safe comes from the Latin word salvus meaning “uninjured, healthy.” Secure comes from Latin securus, “free from care.” “Security” refers to a condition used to ensure safety or protection from outside sources. It deals with external...
Posted by Jane Watson on May 14, 2013 | 0 comments
Word Choice – If Ver...
Pam’s question: “Please do a future issue on ‘if’ versus ‘whether.’ When asked to review documents, I often see my associates using ‘if’’ incorrectly. I would like to be able to give them a simple explanation.” BizWritingTip response: There are several rules regarding “if” and “whether.” I have tried to simplify them as much as possible. The first rule is the...
Posted by Jane Watson on Apr 29, 2013 | 0 comments
Word Choice – Safety...
Paulo’s question: “In the sense of protection from danger, are the words ‘security’ and ‘safety’ interchangeable?” BizWritingTip response: People often confuse these words. Although the thought process is close, the words are not interchangeable. Safe comes from the Latin word salvus meaning “uninjured, healthy.” Secure comes from Latin securus, “free from care.” “Security” refers...
Posted by Jane Watson on Apr 22, 2013 | 0 comments
Grammar Tip – Hyphen...
Todd’s question: “Would you hyphenate ‘cost effective’ in the following sentence? ‘He has designed cost effective training and consulting programs.’” BizWritingTip response: Words change according to their use in sentences. Normally, you would consider the word “cost” as a noun or as a verb. In the sentence provided, “cost” is now serving as an adjective – along with the word...
Posted by Jane Watson on Apr 16, 2013 | 0 comments
Grammar Tip – Apostr...
Anne’s question: “We would like to ask you for the proper punctuation. In the sentence, ‘We have talked to other CCAC’s about their experience,’ should it be CCAC’s or CCACs?” BizWritingTip response: This is a great question dealing with a common error. To pluralize capital letters and abbreviations ending in capital letters, just add a lower case “s.” Examples (Plural...
Posted by Jane Watson on Apr 8, 2013 | 0 comments
Word Choice – Assist...
Christina’s question: “Which sentence is correct — Thank you for your assistance in this matter or Thank you for your assistance on this matter?” BizWritingTip response: Unfortunately, neither sentence is correct. “Assistance on” is incorrect. The prepositions following assistance are “in,” “with,” or “to.”Although many writers interchange them, “assistance with” is used...
Posted by Jane Watson on Apr 1, 2013 | 0 comments
Grammar Tip – Abbrev...
Linden’s question: “Must the abbreviation ‘Ltd’ have a period after it? If you do use a period after it, how do you deal with the end of the sentence? Are there two periods, one for the abbreviation and one for the sentence?” BizWritingTip response: Any abbreviation composed of upper and lower case letters should have a period after it. Therefore, Ltd. is correct. Never put two periods at the...
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