Grammar
When to use a comma before "and"
The Oxford comma divides writers. BusinessWritingBlog explains the rule, the exceptions, and when consistency matters most in professional documents.
Read morePractical writing for professionals
Write clearly.
Work confidently.
BusinessWritingBlog covers grammar, punctuation, email, proofreading, and workplace communication, with plain-language guidance you can use right now.
Grammar & Usage
Answers to the questions professionals ask most often.
Usage
Affect vs. effect: a practical guide
Two words, two jobs. BusinessWritingBlog gives you a clear, memorable rule and real workplace examples to fix this mix-up for good.
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Punctuation
Apostrophes in business writing
Possessives, contractions, and the mistakes that cost credibility. BusinessWritingBlog covers every case you will actually encounter at work.
Read moreWrite emails people read and act on.
Email
How to write a condolence message at work
BusinessWritingBlog walks you through tone, length, and the phrases that show genuine care without overstepping professional boundaries.
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Email
Subject lines that get your email opened
Busy inboxes ignore vague subjects. BusinessWritingBlog shows you a simple formula for subject lines that are clear, specific, and easy to act on.
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Email
Replying to a rude email professionally
Stay measured, protect your reputation, and still say what needs saying. BusinessWritingBlog gives you word-for-word strategies that work.
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Microsoft Office
Microsoft Office tips for better documents
From tracked changes to AutoCorrect, BusinessWritingBlog highlights the Office features that save time and reduce errors in everyday writing tasks.
Read moreProofreading
Catch the errors before your reader does.
Proofreading
A five-step proofreading checklist
BusinessWritingBlog lays out a repeatable process for catching typos, inconsistencies, and missed words before any document leaves your desk.
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Tools
Why spell-check misses your worst mistakes
Spell-check passes "manger" when you meant "manager". BusinessWritingBlog explains the gaps in automated tools and how to close them.
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Technique
Reading aloud: the fastest proofreading trick
Your eye skips what your ear catches. BusinessWritingBlog explains why reading your work aloud is the single most effective self-editing move.
Read moreWant structured learning?
Online writing courses for busy professionals
BusinessWritingBlog curates online courses that fit around a full working week. Grammar foundations, business email, report writing, and more.
Best Picks
Books, tools, and resources that BusinessWritingBlog recommends.
Book
The best style guides for business writers
BusinessWritingBlog reviews the reference books worth keeping at your desk, from AP to Chicago, with notes on which suits which kind of writing.
See the picks
Software
Writing tools that actually earn their price
BusinessWritingBlog tests grammar checkers, distraction-free editors, and productivity apps so you know which ones improve your work and which ones do not.
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Course
Free resources for workplace writers
BusinessWritingBlog rounds up the free guides, checklists, and templates worth bookmarking, from university writing centres to major publishers.
See the picksGlobal Communication
Writing for colleagues and clients across cultures and borders.
Global
Plain English for international readers
Idioms, jargon, and cultural references can confuse a global audience. BusinessWritingBlog shows you how to write clearly for readers anywhere in the world.
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Global
Spelling differences that trip up global teams
Honour or honor? Centre or center? BusinessWritingBlog maps the American, British, and Australian spelling differences that matter in professional documents.
Read moreFrequently asked writing questions
The questions BusinessWritingBlog answers most often.
Is it ever correct to start a sentence with "And" or "But"?
Yes. Starting a sentence with a coordinating conjunction is grammatically acceptable and widely used in professional writing. BusinessWritingBlog covers when it helps rhythm and when it undermines formality.
How do I write a formal condolence email to a colleague?
Keep it brief, sincere, and focused on the person rather than the loss. BusinessWritingBlog offers specific phrases and a short template you can adapt to your relationship and workplace culture.
What is the difference between "i.e." and "e.g."?
"i.e." means "that is" and introduces a restatement. "e.g." means "for example" and introduces an example. BusinessWritingBlog gives you a one-sentence memory trick that makes this permanent.
How long should a professional email be?
Short enough to read in under a minute in most cases. BusinessWritingBlog provides a practical length guide organised by email type, from a quick confirmation to a complex proposal.
Can BusinessWritingBlog help with Microsoft Office tips?
Yes. BusinessWritingBlog covers Word, Outlook, and related tools with tips on formatting, templates, tracked changes, and AutoCorrect settings that save time and reduce errors.
About BusinessWritingBlog
BusinessWritingBlog is a practical writing resource built for people who write at work every day. Every article on BusinessWritingBlog focuses on one question, gives a clear answer, and gets out of the way.
BusinessWritingBlog covers grammar, usage, punctuation, email, proofreading, and workplace communication, with extra sections on Microsoft Office tips and writing condolences at work, because those come up more than you might expect.
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