Transcription of Writing Style Guide - Walsh College
1 9/16 1 Writing Style Guide COMMON BUSINESS ERRORS CONTRACTIONS: Do not use in professional Writing . IT S It s imperative that we complete this form. It is imperative that we complete this form. THEY RE They re requiring the use of secured email. They are requiring the use of secured email. WHO S This website will explain who s eligible for coverage. This website will explain who is eligible for coverage. YOU RE You re allowed to deposit up to $250 per paycheck to an account.
2 You are allowed to deposit up to $250 per paycheck to an account. POSSESSIVE ADJECTIVES ITS Our company achieved its sales goals last year. THEIR Their strategy is similar to ours. WHOSE The group needs to decide whose ideas will work best. YOUR Your work is exceptional. 2 CONFUSING WORDS ADVISE / ADVICE We advise our clients on choosing the best plans. We offer advice on choosing the best plans. AFFECT / EFFECT Overhead will affect our profits.
3 The law will affect my taxes. AFFECT is a verb. Overhead will have an effect on our profits. The law will have an effect on my taxes. EFFECT is a noun. Use EFFECT with OF and ON. COMPLEMENT / COMPLIMENT Team members complement each other by bringing different strengths to the table. When she told me the job was done well, it was a true compliment. We were served a complimentary breakfast before the meeting. DEFINITELY / DEFIANTLY I am definitely interested in the position. The boy defiantly disobeyed his parents. DEPRECATION / DEPRECIATION Self-deprecation is an unappealing personality trait.
4 Depreciation of the assets is calculated using this formula. LEAD / LED I want you to take the lead on this project. Scientists found lead in the water. If you lead, I will follow. The manager led the team. LOSE / LOOSE We cannot afford to lose the client. My shoelaces were loose, so I had to tie them again. 3 MANAGER / MANGER John Smith is the manager of the department. During the Christmas season, you may find a manger on display. MANNER / MANOR I will approach the problem in a different manner. The reception will be held at Hillsdale Manor, the president s estate.
5 MINER / MINOR The miner was hired to work in the coal mine. This is a minor problem. My major is finance and my minor is marketing. MORALE / MORAL Employee morale was improved by the salary increases. Employees need to have moral standards when they conduct business. PASSED / PAST I passed the test with flying colors. In the past, we have been profitable. POSSESS / POSSES I possess the skills necessary for the job. The sheriff and his deputy rounded up posses for the manhunt. PRINCIPLE / PRINCIPAL Companies expect employees to have moral principles.
6 PRINCIPLE means guidelines. As a principal at ABC Accounting Firm, Kevin has important responsibilities. John paid extra principal on his loan each month. The principal ideas were presented by the high school principal. PROSPECTIVE / PERSPECTIVE I am sending my r sum to prospective employers. I see things from a different perspective than you do. 4 REGARD / REGARDS I regard him as an expert in the field. The report is correct in that regard. Please give my regards to Mr. Thompson. ROLE / ROLL Mary played an important role in the company.
7 A roll was served with the salad at dinner. I watched the ball roll across the street. THEN / THAN We will complete the first phase and then move on to the second. If these numbers are correct, then we can pay off our debts. THEN refers to time and is used with IF/THEN logic statements. Our profits are greater this year than they were last year. I like this idea more than that one. More often than not, my strategy works. THAN is used for comparisons: less than, hotter than, shorter than, older than, more expensive than.
8 TO / TWO / TOO I am going to the store. I need two new computers. I, too, would appreciate an answer. I am spending too much money. TOO shows degree: too little, too late, too hot, too cold, too expensive .. Write these words as one word (not two): cannot, whereas, nevertheless, oftentimes, within, throughout, themselves, myself, himself, aforementioned Be specific with dates: Tuesday, July 2, is more specific than recently. In 2016 is more specific than nowadays. Stay consistently plural (or singular when necessary): Incorrect: Once an employee submits their report, he or she will earn a bonus Correct: Once employees submit their reports, they will earn bonuses.
9 5 Commas A complete sentence has a subject (who or what) and verb (action words or is, am, are, was, was, were) plus additions. Joe (subject) manages (verb) the IT department for an automotive supplier. His arguments (subject) are (verb) logical. Fragments occur when subjects and/or verbs are missing. Fragment: Causing employee morale to increase. Correct: The policy (subject) is causing (verb) employee morale to increase. RULE 1: Sentences can begin with conditional openers. Place a comma after an opener to show the subject follows.
10 Short words such as however are openers. Longer openers begin with the words below: According As Before If Unless Whenever After At By In Until While Although Because During Since When With According to an article in The Wall Street Journal, interest rates (subject) may rise. During the restructuring phase, the plan (subject) was not adequately communicated. In order to implement this change, I (subject) recommend actively using voicemail. However, flexibility (subject) is important.
