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Results 71 to 80 of 321 (page 8 of 33)
as a result of the fact that
To write clearly and concisely, use the conjunction because instead of as a result of the fact that. Other possibilities include since, considering that or given that. Wordy: As a result of the fact that a storm was brewing, we set off for home. Concise: Because (or Since) a storm was brewing, we set off for home. Wordy: As a result of the fact that real estate prices had dropped, homeowners were reluctant to put their houses up for sale. Concise: Considering (or Given) that real estate prices had dropped, homeowners were reluctant to put their houses up for sale.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 1,582
knick-knack, knickknack
Knick-knack is the preferred spelling, although this word is sometimes written as a closed compound without a hyphen, knickknack. Doug grumbled when asked to dust his curling trophies and other knick-knacks. Judith was an avid knick-knack collector and had more than fifty ceramic frogs.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 1,581
beyond a shadow of a doubt
Beyond a shadow of a doubt is a wordy and overworked expression. To make your writing more effective, replace this expression with an adverb such as undoubtedly, certainly, definitely, indisputably or truly. Wordy: Beyond a shadow of a doubt, we will have to increase our funding. Concise: We will undoubtedly (or certainly) have to increase our funding. Wordy: That was, beyond a shadow of a doubt, the most exciting trip I’ve ever taken. Concise: That was definitely (or truly) the most exciting trip I’ve ever taken. Wordy: I can prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that the defendant is telling the truth. Concise: I can prove indisputably that the defendant is telling the truth.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 1,556
foreword, preface
A foreword is an introduction to a book, usually written by someone other than the author. It is spelled foreword, not forward, foreward or forword. It was a great honour to have Michael Ondaatje write the foreword to my latest book. A preface is an introduction to a book, usually written by the author. The professor encouraged her students to read the author’s preface before reading the novel.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 1,554
clear communication: write relevant and effective emails
(A similar topic is discussed in French in the article Communication claire : courriels pertinents et efficaces.) In a world where speed is everything, writers need to be conscious of who will be reading their emails. Readers need to grasp the message quickly, so the email must be easy to read, easy to understand and, above all, easy to use. When you write emails, keep the following points in mind. Relevance Before drafting and sending an email, ask yourself the following questions: Is email the best way to convey the message that I am about to write? Is the message relevant to everyone I plan on sending it to? Have I included all of the people who need to receive this message? Do I need to reply to this email? Before you reply to an email that made you react negatively, take a deep breath: Give yourself 24 hours. Email is not the best way to resolve interpersonal issues. Deal with difficult situations over the phone or in person, especially if: you think that the recipient will react negatively; or you need to give someone bad news. Netiquette Be professional: Communicate clearly and effectively. Be courteous and respectful. Provide your contact information in a signature block. Do not use ALL CAPS. The reader may interpret your message as verbal abuse; ALL CAPS is the equivalent of shouting. Ask the writer’s permission before forwarding a message that contains any personal information. Flag your message as important only if the message is truly urgent. Recipients Adapt your message to the needs of the reader and to the purpose of your message. The reader may not necessarily know as much as you do about the subject. Choose a greeting and closing line that fit the type of communication and your reader. If your message is going to be sent to a distribution list, specify the target audience at the beginning of the email (e.g. This announcement concerns engineers and biologists.). If you know the recipient will read your message on a smartphone, get right to the point. Don’t assume that the intended recipient is the only one who will read your message. Subject line Keep your subject line brief, explicit and eye-catching. Make sure that there is a clear link between the subject line and the message. The recipient will then be able to decide where it fits on the priority list and file it accordingly. For example, write Agenda — Meeting about communications strategy instead of Meeting today. Content Make sure the content is clear and concise: Deal with only one subject in each email: the reader will be able to reply more quickly and it will be easier to file the message appropriately. Get to the point: give enough information for the content to be accurate, complete and relevant. You’ll increase the chance that your message will be read and that the reader will send you a reply. Structure your message: after quickly putting your email into context, state the purpose of the message and any actions that must be taken. Be precise in your requests. Be persuasive: present your arguments in a logical order. Get rid of any previous strings of emails. Summarize where things stand with the issue, and attach previous emails. Your colleagues can then consult them if needed. Presentation Follow the presentation guidelines below: Keep your message within one screen page (about 25 lines or 250 words). Use your words economically: write short sentences and paragraphs, use lists and subheadings (avoid long messages made up of only one paragraph). Choose user-friendly fonts, etc.: Use a font that is easy to read on screen. Avoid novelty fonts. Use black letters on a white background. Avoid repeating special characters (e.g. exclamation points: they may be misinterpreted). Limit your use of bold, italics, underlining and colours (especially in combination). Stay away from emoticons (e.g. ☺) and other distracting decorative elements. Revision Reread your email with a critical eye, and check the quality of your message: Put yourself in your reader’s shoes as you reread your message. Get rid of repetition or awkward phrasing; fix spelling and grammar mistakes. Avoid jargon and acronyms; use technical terms and abbreviations sparingly. Ask a colleague to read an especially important or sensitive email before you send it. Ask yourself if the tone, logic and vocabulary are appropriate. If you’re a public servant, be careful of what you write: anything can be accessed through the access to information and privacy laws. Attachments and hyperlinks Instead of attaching a document, insert a hyperlink that leads to it (if the document is filed on a shared drive). This keeps the network from being overloaded. Only attach documents to the email if they are essential. Explain why they are relevant to the reader. Specify which parts of an attachment are important. The reader can find the information more quickly and can therefore reply more quickly to your email as well.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 1,544
faulty comparisons
When making a comparison, avoid making illogical or unclear statements Illogical comparisons In illogical comparisons, the writer uses a faulty structure, which often leaves out a key element or idea. Illogical: The blender at this store is cheaper than the other store. [The blender costs less than a store?] Logical: The blender at this store is cheaper than the one at the other store. Illogical: I think green cleaning products perform as well, or better, than traditional ones. [As well than?] Logical: I think green cleaning products perform as well as, or better than, traditional ones. Illogical: Unlike Consuela, Devon’s cooking is bland. [Consuela is not like Devon’s cooking? Should she be?] Logical: Unlike Consuela’s cooking, Devon’s is bland. OR Unlike Consuela, Devon cooks bland foods. Illogical: Pepe eats more than anyone I know. [I know Pepe, so he can’t eat more than anyone I know!] Logical: Pepe eats more than anyone else I know. Unclear comparisons In unclear comparisons, the reader can’t tell what or who is being compared. Unclear: Greta paid a lower price for the concert tickets. [Lower than somebody else paid? Lower than she paid for something else?] Clear: Greta paid a lower price for the concert tickets than Abdul did. OR Greta paid a lower price for the concert tickets than for the tickets to the play. Unclear: Fred sees Joanne more often than Naomi. [Does Fred see Naomi? Or does Naomi see Joanne?] Clear: Fred sees Joanne more often than he sees Naomi. OR Fred sees Joanne more often than Naomi does.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 1,540
clear communication: reduce redundancy
“The most valuable of all talents is that of never using two words when one will do.” —Thomas Jefferson You can lower your word count by eliminating redundancy (useless repetition). This will help make your documents easy to read and understand. Redundancy isn’t always easy to spot, though; many redundant expressions have become part of everyday language. For instance, a lot of people wouldn’t even bat an eye at “crisis situation,” “end result” or “safe haven,” even though “crisis,” “result” and “haven” have just as much meaning with half the words! We’re committed to helping you never use two words when one will do. So, we’ve compiled some simple rules to point you in the direction of conciseness: On this page Absolute values (very unique) Acronym additions (ATM machine) Cut “back” Good as “new” Too much “together” Absolute values Do not modify adjectives that express an absolute state. Absolutes do not have different degrees of intensity. Table 1: Examples of redundancy with absolutes Redundant Revised Saikat was completely certain he had been there before. Saikat was certain he had been there before. It is absolutely essential that you correct this error before it goes to print. It is essential that you correct this error before it goes to print. Janos’ interpretation of that piece was very unique. Janos’ interpretation of that piece was unique. Acronym additions Do not spell out the final word of these common acronyms. Examples of redundancy with acronyms Redundant Revised ABS system ABS ATM machine ATM HIV virus HIV ISBN number ISBN LCD display LCD PIN number PIN SIN number SIN UPC code UPC Cut “back” Delete the word “back” after verbs where the “back” is implied, such as date, recall, refer, reflect, reply and revert. Table 2: Examples of redundancy with “back” Redundant Revised Provide your name and e-mail address if you want our communications staff to reply back to you. Provide your name and e-mail address if you want our communications staff to reply to you. I refer you back to paragraph 2(1)(c) of the Income Tax Act. I refer you to paragraph 2(1)(c) of the Income Tax Act. Priya reflected back on the year and tried to pick out the best concert she had been to. Priya reflected on the year and tried to pick out the best concert she had been to. Good as “new” Delete the adjective “new” when it modifies a noun that is implicitly new. Table 3: Examples of redundancy with “new” Redundant Revised This initiative will promote new innovation and cleaner communities. This initiative will promote innovation and cleaner communities. In the early 1900s, Toronto’s Thomas F. Ryan received accolades for his new invention: five-pin bowling. In the early 1900s, Toronto’s Thomas F. Ryan received accolades for his invention: five-pin bowling. On the first day of training, new recruits watched a documentary on the evolving role of the warden in Canada’s national parks. On the first day of training, recruits (or new employees) watched a documentary on the evolving role of the warden in Canada’s national parks. Too much “together” Delete the word “together” from phrases where the verb means something like join or assemble. The together is unnecessary because it is implied in the verb. Table 4: Examples of redundancy with “together” Redundant Revised We assumed layoffs would be inevitable once our small firm merged together with a large corporation. We assumed layoffs would be inevitable once our small firm merged with a large corporation. Noora compiled the data together into one spreadsheet. Noora compiled the data into one spreadsheet. Parties tend to rally together around such issues. Parties tend to rally around such issues. Follow these rules and you’ll eliminate some common redundancies in your writing.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 1,545
enormity, enormous, enormousness
Enormity describes events of monstrous wickedness or immoderate size, especially with reference to a crime or disaster. It was not until the next day that the enormity of the crime became apparent. When only size is being discussed, enormousness is a better choice. Bertrand was impressed by the enormousness of the hydroelectric dam project. There are no such restrictions on the adjective enormous. As everyone expected, the film Titanic was an enormous success.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 1,535
clear verbal communication
(A similar topic is discussed in French in the article Communication claire : parler pour être compris.) No matter your audience, your message must be clear. For verbal communication, keep the following points in mind: Listen actively Give the speaker your undivided attention. Make eye contact and lean toward the speaker to show that you are interested in what he or she is saying. Avoid looking at your agenda or watch, and don’t doodle. Pay attention to body language. Take notes if necessary. Be patient and listen attentively. Don’t interrupt or answer too quickly. Be aware that people who have low literacy skills or who are unfamiliar with administrative language may have trouble telling you exactly what they want. Help the speaker organize his or her thoughts. Ask open-ended questions (they generally start with who, what, when, where, why or how). Paraphrase the speaker’s answers to show that you are listening and can provide the information he or she needs. Check that you have understood what the speaker wants. Paraphrase the speaker’s questions (e.g. “If I understand correctly, you want to know why your application was denied.”). Communicate clearly Don’t use jargon or in-house vocabulary. Use familiar, concrete words (e.g. “person who receives money” instead of “claimant”). Avoid unfamiliar acronyms. Use comparisons to explain complex ideas. For example, say “A registered education savings plan is like a savings account to help pay for your child’s education after high school.” Be professional, polite and non-judgmental. Use a friendly tone. Pronounce your words clearly. Speak slowly at a steady pace of 140 to 160 words per minute. Adjust your speed if necessary; a person who speaks slowly likely expects to be spoken to at a similar pace. Don’t use inappropriate or condescending language. Check for understanding and recap the information Check if the listener has understood. Avoid questions like “Do you understand?” People with low literacy tend to think they have understood even when they have not, or they may not want to admit that they need clarification. Unless they are prompted, they may not ask questions. Ask the listener to recap what you have said if you think he or she may not have understood. Bring backup: checklists, illustrations or related documents in plain language. Give out contact information for yourself or other resource persons in case the listener thinks of a question later on. Paraphrase the information if the listener has not understood. Don’t just repeat the same words or speak more loudly or slowly. Be clear and concise: stick to three or four main points (people can absorb only a certain amount of information at a time). Recap what the listener has to do, providing step-by-step instructions. Be aware that certain people, such as seniors, people with low literacy and people with visual impairments may have trouble taking notes. Give them more time to write when they do take notes. Put yourself in the other person’s shoes. Research shows that 48% of Canadians find it difficult to understand administrative language. Speak in plain language: people have the right to understand!Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 1,531
laden, loaded
Laden means that the load is great in weight or quantity. The ships sailed back from Byzantium heavily laden with the treasures of the Orient. Loaded refers to things or people carrying a load, or to something that is full or charged. When your truck is fully loaded, you may leave. Whether loaded or not, guns should not be left within the reach of children.Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 1,525