Human Skills and Better Communication
Convoluted prose is difficult to read. The never-ending story of the long and winding sentence can make us lose the will to live.
There’s a way out. And, most of the time, it’s an easy path.
Continue reading “The Long And Winding Sentence: A Way Out”
Poor word placement is one of the causes of mangled meaning. Another is the way we place emphasis in a sentence. It often comes down to just one word.
Continue reading “Word Placement: For Your Eyes Only”
Assure, Insure, Ensure? You’d think it would be a simple matter to get it right.
Not always.
Continue reading “Assure, Insure, Ensure: What’s The Difference?”
We’ve all experienced the Monday morning blues. It’s nothing new. When was the last time you heard anyone say ‘TGIM’ (Thank God it’s Monday)?
Continue reading “Monday Morning Blues: It’s Not News”
I wonder whether you might have wondered about whether to use ‘discreet’ or ‘discrete’.
The problems of language use are often not so much about ‘correctness’, for its own sake, but more about a failure to communicate.
Continue reading “A Discreet or Discrete Word, If You Have A Minute”
What’s the problem with tautologies?
Identical twin babies is a double helping of ‘cute’. With words, though, doubling up on meaning is not such a great idea.
Continue reading “Tautologies: It’s All Too Much”
I remember a conversation I had with a client some years ago. It made me think about the human skill of face-to-face communication.
Continue reading “Human Skill And Good Will”
The use of parallel structures, also called ‘parallelism’, is one of the less talked-about techniques in writing. It’s a way to make sure you communicate with clarity and precision.
Continue reading “Parallel Structures Build Better Sentences”
Allude? Allusion? Do you know how to use these words?
You’ve probably heard someone say something like this:
Was he alluding to what happened at the meeting yesterday?
or
I’m alluding to your comments about the restructure.
We know what’s meant, but it’s not the accurate way to use the word ‘allude’.
Continue reading “Allusion: A Specific Reference”
There’s sometimes confusion about whether to use one word or two, in certain circumstances.
Altogether or all together? Sometimes or some times?
Does it matter?
Well, yes, it often does.
Continue reading “One Word Or Two? What’s The Difference?”