The passive voice has a place in business writing Most of us have probably been told at some point in our business writing career ‘to avoid the passive voice’. The reason given is that it is often wordier and clumsier than the active voice, which is more direct and lively. Also, many people think that […]
-able and -ible spelling rule Given that there are 26 letters in the alphabet and more than 40 sounds in the English language, it’s amazing that any of us learn to spell. I consider myself a reasonable speller, but there are a few words, such as ‘accommodation’ and ‘apartment’, that trip me up. Thank goodness […]
The terms ‘numbers’ and ‘numerals’ are often used interchangeably, but there is a difference between these words. A number is a concept and a numeral expresses that concept in writing. For example, the number five is a concept and you can express it in different ways. For instance, you could hold up five fingers, say […]
In US English, full stops go inside quotation marks Use of quotation marks We use quotation marks to indicate: Written or spoken speech ‘You’re looking well,’ she said. Titles of reports, articles and poems I read an article ‘Where Boards Fall Short’ in the Harvard Business Review. Words we wish to emphasise Did you know […]
Overloaded sentences are difficult to read Length is often blamed for sentences going awry, but the problem is more complex than that because a long sentence sometimes works. Take Mark Twain’s beautiful example: ‘At times he may indulge himself with a long one [sentence], but he will make sure there are no folds in it, […]
-ise and -ize American and Australian spelling differences Australian English uses ‘ise’ or ‘yse’ and American English ‘ize’ or ‘yze’: organise, recognise, analyse (Au) organize, recognize, analyze (US) Australian English uses ‘our’ and American English ‘or’: colour, honour, flavour (Au) (An exception is the Australian Labor Party’s name.) color, honor, flavor (US) Australian English uses […]
Further and farther In Australian English, farther is not very common. We use further to mean both ‘at a greater distance’ and ‘in addition, more, moreover’. How much further to go? We need to investigate further. Farther is used more in the US where many writers split the meanings, saying farther relates to distance and […]
‘If I were a rich man…’ The words ‘If I were a rich man…’ are from a song in the musical, Fiddler on the Roof. Many people believe the subjunctive is dying. Somerset Maugham says in A Writer’s Notebook (1949): ‘The subjunctive mood is in its death throes, and the best thing to do is […]
Use consistent styles Here are some of the common mistakes and inconsistencies that I have to watch for when editing my own and other people’s writing. Incorrect agreement with company names In Australian and New Zealand English, company names take a singular verb, yet many of us use a plural verb, or switch between singular […]
Like most writers, I enjoy reading about writing, so thought I would share some of my favourite authors who have influenced my writing. Joseph M. Williams was a professor at the University of Chicago and wrote several books on writing, including Style: Toward Clarity and Grace. He was the first writer who challenged the way […]