Going Back to Basics
Since school is back in session, this is a great time to cover some writing basics often messed up in business communications. While a bad grade isn’t in the offing, your reputation can suffer when you make these “childish” mistakes.
Using apostrophes to form plural words
Wrong: The Cubs are in the midst of playing 30 day’s straight.
Right: The Cubs are in the midst of playing 30 days straight.
Misusing loose and lose
Wrong: When your team is vying for a playoff spot, you don’t want it to loose.
Right: When your team is vying for a playoff spot, you don’t want it to lose.
Misusing your and you’re
Wrong: Your probably excited if you’re football team won its first game.
Right: You’re probably excited if your football team won its first game.
Misusing its and it’s
(See the examples above; its always denotes possession, while it’s is always short for it is.)
Misusing there, their and they’re
Wrong: Their are many San Diegans who don’t watch football since there team left; their doing other things on Sundays.
Right: There are many San Diegans who don’t watch football since their team left; they’re doing other things on Sundays.
To ensure silly errors don’t detract from your message, have your writing efforts reviewed by someone who can catch them — and save you from embarrassment.
A Great Debut
It was my honor to edit Stan Fairchild’s first novel, Community of Marta, which is now available at Amazon.com. I don’t always love the books I edit, but I can wholeheartedly endorse this great read. Set in San Diego, it revolves around Marta, an independent spirit, and her ragtag group of friends. The tale is a heartfelt and timely look at human connection — and shows us how our friends often become our true family.
It Bugs Me When…
People don’t have a signature panel on their business emails that includes a phone number
My name is spelled wrong, first or last — and sometimes both
I’m added to groups on social media instead of being invited to join
My emails and/or phone calls aren’t returned in a timely fashion
Do any of these things irritate you? Do you have other pet peeves with respect to business or personal communication? Feel free to share!