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Results 1 to 10 of 279 (page 1 of 28)
in regard to, with regard to, as regards
Write the noun regard in the singular in the phrases in regard to and with regard to. The store has called in regard to (not in regards to) the missing hot tub. With regard to (not with regards to) my recent accident in the hot tub, I have completely recovered. The final s is correct only in the phrase as regards, where regards is a verb. As regards the hot tub, I’m making a planter out of it! Note: In regard to, with regard to and as regards are wordy phrases. Instead, to communicate clearly and effectively, use about, as for, concerning or regarding, or rewrite the sentence. The store has called about (or concerning or regarding) the missing hot tub. I have completely recovered from my recent accident in the hot tub. As for the hot tub, I’m making a planter out of it! OR I’m making a planter out of the hot tub!Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 40,484
decision (make a decision, take a decision)
Both make a decision and take a decision are correct. Although attempts are sometimes made to distinguish between these two expressions or to reject one in favour of the other, most modern dictionaries use them interchangeably. For example: She was forced to make a tough decision about her future. The Cabinet took the decision to launch the initiative.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 11,442
overall, over all
The overused adjective overall can be left out entirely or a more precise synonym can be used instead. Depending on the context, choose one of the following: absolute, aggregate, average, comprehensive, general, supreme, total, or whole. The (overall) goal of the provincial program is full employment. The final figures show an overall (total, absolute, average, general) increase in sales. The adverb phrase over all expresses the idea of “all things considered,” and is written in two words. Over all, I would say the party was a great success.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 10,649
assure, ensure, insure
Assure is used in the sense of offering a guarantee or removing doubt, uncertainty or worry. Thanks to the new regulations, the employees’ job security was assured. The builder assured the homeowner that the renovations would be completed on time. Ensure means to make sure or certain. To ensure that he could keep his word, the builder hired two extra carpenters. Insure is related primarily to the field of insurance, and sometimes to preparing for the future. If you insure your life, you assure your family members a settlement and ensure their financial security. Insure (or Ensure) your future by continuing your education.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 10,243
above-mentioned, aforementioned
To write clearly and effectively, avoid legal jargon like the word above-mentioned or aforementioned. Instead, use words such as previously, earlier or above. Legal jargon: The above-mentioned documents are available on our website. Plain language: The documents mentioned previously (or earlier or above) are available on our website. Legal jargon: The police have investigated the aforementioned incidents. Plain language: The police have investigated the above incidents. You can also replace these terms with demonstrative adjectives: this, that, these, those. Legal jargon: The above-mentioned documents are available on our website. Plain language: These documents are available on our website. Legal jargon: The police have investigated the aforementioned incidents. Plain language: The police have investigated these incidents.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 9,349
OK, O.K., okay
Okay and the abbreviations OK and O.K. are informal and should be replaced by synonyms such as acceptable, all right, correct, approval, authorize or recommend in formal writing. Ian says he’ll be okay (all right) once his cold clears up. Once we have the Board’s okay (approval), we can begin hiring staff for the project. Jill okayed (authorized) the travel claims submitted by her staff. In everyday writing, choose okay rather than OK or O.K. Are my vacation plans okay (not O.K.) with you? The plural of the abbreviations is formed by adding ’s (OK’s or O.K.’s). You should replace the two OK’s in your email message with the word okay or with a more formal synonym.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 9,158
active voice, passive voice, voice
Sentences written in active voice are usually clearer and more effective than sentences written in passive voice. However, that doesn’t mean we should always avoid passive voice. Active vs. passive voice In active voice, the subject is the doer of the action expressed in the verb: Maneesha ate the apple. [Maneesha did the eating.] The theatre company will perform a Shakespearean play next week. [The company will do the performing.] In passive voice, the subject is the receiver of the action expressed in the verb: The apple was eaten by Maneesha. [The apple didn’t do the eating; it received the action.] A Shakespearean play will be performed next week. [The play won’t do the performing; it will receive the action.] In these last two examples, the action is done by a person (or group of people) and carried over onto the apple and the play. Thus, the subjects “apple” and “play” are the receivers of the action. In these sentences, the doer of the action is either named in a phrase after the verb (“by Maneesha”) or is left unnamed. Advantages of active voice Active voice is more concise: an active voice sentence is always shorter than the same sentence in passive voice. Active voice is clearer and more direct, because it puts the doer of the action first and follows a logical order: DOER of action + ACTION + RECEIVER of action (if any) And of course, active voice is active—so it makes our writing more dynamic and energetic. For these reasons, it is usually better to write in active voice—and to rewrite any passive voice sentences to make them active. Uses of passive voice Although active voice is usually better, passive voice makes good sense in the following situations: when the doer of the action is unknown The lights were left on. [You don’t know who left them on.] when the doer of the action is less important than the receiver The package was delivered this morning. [It doesn’t matter who brought it.] when you want to avoid naming the doer of the action I was given the wrong directions. [You don’t want to lay blame.] Inclusive writing The last use of the passive listed above (as a way to avoid naming the doer of an action) can be a useful technique to make your writing gender-inclusive. When the person doing an action is represented by a gendered pronoun (“he,” “she,” and “he or she,” or any of their forms), you can often eliminate the pronoun by making your sentence passive: Active, gendered sentence Passive, inclusive sentence If a member cannot attend the meeting, he or she must submit a vote by proxy. A vote must be submitted by proxy if a member cannot attend the meeting. Each employee must pick up his or her identification badge in person. Identification badges must be picked up by each employee in person.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 7,409
flu, flue, influenza
The short form flu for influenza has become standard, with no apostrophe (’flu) needed. The word flu is not capitalized when preceded by an uppercase adjective, as in Hong Kong flu. When you have the flu, it is in everyone’s best interest for you to stay at home and rest. The Singapore flu was especially hard on the very young and the very old. A flue is a duct, channel, tube or pipe. There was a bluebird stuck in the flue of the wood stove.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 7,284
at that point in time, at this point in time
To write plainly and concisely, use then instead of at that point in time. Other possibilities to replace at that point in time include at that time and at that point. Wordy: It was at that point in time the firefighters realized they could not save the building. Concise: It was then (or at that point) the firefighters realized they could not save the building. To write plainly and concisely, use now instead of at this point in time. Other possible replacements for at this point in time include at once, immediately, right away, right now, straightaway and today. Wordy: The director cannot make that decision at this point in time. Concise: The director cannot make that decision now.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 6,633
in the amount of, in the sum of
To write plainly and concisely, use for or of instead of the roundabout phrases in the amount of or in the sum of. Mr. Smith gave me a cheque for (not in the amount of) $35,000. The applicants asked the court to award costs of (not in the sum of) $10,000Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 6,405