My husband Michael, who works with me at Syntax Training, has a sign on the wall above his desk. It says:
As I said,
As it says,
Michael uses this sign, usually while on the telephone, to remind himself that “As I said” is correct–not “Like I said.” The same goes for “As it says”–not “Like it says.”
Michael had the habit of saying the incorrect “Like I said” and “Like it says,” and he needed to break it. He needed to break the habit because representatives from world-class companies call us to ask about our seminars in business writing. To appear credible in the field of business communications, we need to use correct grammar in writing and speaking.
But all of us need to communicate professionally. So if you have one of those awkward bad-grammar habits, make a sign. Then practice.
For example, if you start a sentence with “Me and my supervisor” rather than “My supervisor and I,” make a sign, hang it above your desk, and practice saying “My supervisor and I” at the beginning of a hundred sentences.
Or if you write “Call Ahmed or I”–wrong! Make a sign and practice saying “Call Ahmed or me.” Whatever your bad habit is, learn the correct expression. Then work on it.
Michael has just about eradicated the “Like I said” habit. He still glances at the sign while he is on the phone, but I think the only habit is the glance.
Don’t let a bad-grammar habit get in the way of sounding professional on paper or in person. Like As I said, just make a sign and practice.
Lynn
