Photo by Grammar Grappler #14: Deciding Between That and Which
Time for a quick pop quiz. Please choose the correct word for each of these sentences. Read more
Tag Archive for: business writing
Grammar Grappler #10: Its and It’s and Its’
You will see this word written one of three ways:
Its
It’s
Its’
How do we know when to use which one correctly? Even seasoned professional proofreaders can get in a hurry and miss this commonly confused and misused word. It’s not tricky when you use this quick and easy proofreading hack. Read more
Grammar Grappler #10: Chester Drawers
This weeks’ blog spot is short and sweet.
How do you pronounce this piece of furniture?
.
.
.
.
Answer: chest of drawers
As a child, I called it a “chester drawers.” Fortunately, someone kindly corrected me before I entered college.
However, I am not alone. So many people to this day say “chester drawers,” even as adults. Someone close to me (and older than I) called it a “chester drawers” last week. Even a furniture store rep pronounced it that way not too long ago. I used to believe it was a Southern tendency, but I have discovered in my travels that other regions of the country go furniture shopping for a bed, night stand, dresser—and “chester drawers.”
Which other mispronunciations come to mind from childhood?
Certified Speaking Professional Mandi Stanley works with business leaders who want to boost their professional image by becoming better speakers and writers through interactive high-content keynotes, breakout sessions, workshops, technical writing seminars, and fun proofreading classes.
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Photo by Rumman Amin on Unsplash
Grammar Grappler #6: A Corny Way to Remember i.e. and e.g.
“What do i.e., and e.g., mean?” Read more
Grammar Grappler #5: Readers Share Mispronunciations
Last week I shared a word I found out I had been saying incorrectly for more than four decades:
Sherbet
After telling my “sher-bert” story, I asked you to chime in with similar examples. You did not disappoint! We’ve had so much fun these past few days sharing some hilarious stories and examples, and I appreciate all of your input.
For fun, I’m sharing a few of the most common mispronounced terms according to the blog’s readership. See if you can relate.
One reader shared she recently had a coworker take her aside and say, “You know, it’s ‘for all intents and purposes,’ not ‘for all intensive purposes.’”
NO: for all intensive purposes
YES: for all intents and purposes
Another reader said he still calls his bedroom furniture “chester drawers,” even though he knows better now.
NO: chester drawers
YES: chest of drawers
Last Friday I spoke at a statewide association of REALTORS® leadership retreat. They were the first to speak up and give examples of how many people mispronounce their job title. It’s two syllables, not three.
NO: re-la-tor
YES: REAL-TOR
And who can forget Joey Tribbiani’s classic mispronunciation of “supposably” on Friends.
NO: supposably
YES: supposedly
Let’s keep this thread going. I’m sure you have other relatable examples you can share—at least, supposedly.
To customize a keynote or professional development session that will have your audience laughing and learning, contact Mandi Stanley.
Certified Speaking Professional Mandi Stanley works with business leaders who want to boost their professional image by becoming better speakers and writers through interactive high-content keynotes, breakout sessions, workshops, technical writing seminars, and fun proofreading classes.
You might also like:
How Do You Handle Virtual Meeting Whiners?
Use this App to Capture Fresh Presentation Ideas
Wacky Word of the Week: Purge this Particular Word
To customize a keynote or professional development session that will have your audience laughing and learning, contact Mandi Stanley.
Certified Speaking Professional Mandi Stanley works with business leaders who want to boost their professional image by becoming better speakers and writers through interactive high-content keynotes, breakout sessions, workshops, technical writing seminars, and fun proofreading classes.
You might also like:
How Do You Handle Virtual Meeting Whiners?
Use this App to Capture Fresh Presentation Ideas
Wacky Word of the Week: Purge this Particular Word
Photo by Sudan Ouyang on Unsplash
Grammar Grappler 3: Peak or Peek?
I still lose sleep over an executive tips book I wrote in 1999 where in the 13th chapter I recommend presenters take a “sneak peak” at their notes whenever needed. Read more
Grammar Grappler 2: Presidents Day, President’s Day, Presidents’ Day
Behind-the-scenes note: I write on Monday and publish on Wednesday, so I’m penning this on the third Monday in February, otherwise known as Presidents’ Day. Or is it Presidents Day? Or President’s Day. Read more
Announcing Grammar Grapplers
We’re launching a new blog series this week: Grammar Grapplers. The reason I have been eagerly anticipating this new series? These questions have come directly from you. For six months, I have been collecting questions from our community of readers, and today we publish the first response. Read more
Photo by Ferenc Horvath on UnsplashThank-you Note Writing: Make a List and Check It Once
Since January 1, we have used this blog space for discussing gratitude and the act of writing regular thank-you notes. Several of you have joined our community in the challenge of writing one thank-you note a day. I hope it is going well for you, and I want to pass along a simple idea a reader shared last week: Read more
https://unsplash.com/photos/xoBiZSQdfZMOne Powerful New Year’s Writing Aspiration
For the past few days, I’ve heard a lot of voices saying, “I’m not really into new year’s resolutions” or “I’m not really a goal-setting person” or “I don’t make resolutions because they never last.” I guess I understand where they are coming from, but I’m the opposite. Read more
