[4-minute read] An online film review gushes that This movie is imminently watchable. I suppose the reviewer meant that she was about to watch it but had not done so yet. Her watching was imminent, which means that it would likely happen soon. Or did she mean that the film was eminently watchable, in the sense […]
The In’s and Out’s of Eminently/Imminently Read More »
[4-minute read] Do you edit as you write? If so, your writing process might go something like this: Dear JohnA little voice in your head pipes up, “You can’t call him John! Call him Mr. Cuddy!”Another voice inside says, “OMG! You’re right! I need to change that!” So you change it to Dear Mr. Cuddy and continue, It
Managing the Inner Critic Read More »
Hi! It’s nice to see you. 😃 What do you think I meant by that happy face? Lacking the precision and nuance of language, emojis are wide open to interpretation. Along with the inherent informality that comes from inserting cartoonish faces in your emails, this fact raises questions about whether emojis are appropriate in business documents.
Do Emojis Belong in Business Writing? Read More »
“I coulda been a contender!” While this plaintive cry worked well for Marlon Brando in “On the Waterfront”, it falls flat in business writing. Careful writers cringe when they see sentences like If I would of known they were good prospects, I would of tried harder. I should of known he was a rascal. I could
Woulda Coulda Shoulda Read More »
To write clearly, we need to avoid hedging phrases like “I wanted to…” or “I’d like to…” Learn how to ditch the hedges and make your point.
A Weak Writing Pattern: “I wanted to…but I didn’t.” Read More »
