Business Writing

New Year's Wishes for 2012

People from around the world have been writing to me in search of the correct wording for new year's messages to their English-speaking friends and associates. To help them, I have composed these brief messages as models. I hope you find them helpful. Note to international readers: If the message... Read more →

Who Should Save Face--You or Your Reader?

I recently emailed a friend to invite her to lunch. I suggested that we meet at the Portage Bay Cafe on Roosevelt. When she wrote back to say yes, she said she had visited the Portage Bay Cafe website, and she wanted to know whether I would like to meet... Read more →

Don't Be Fooled by Microsoft's Non-Errors

In Microsoft Office the grammar and spelling checker often flags non-errors. It flags certain constructions that have "fooled" the software into detecting a possible error. My grammar and spelling checker flagged a potential error in each item below. But don't be fooled! Each item is correct. I am wondering who... Read more →

Notice: Membership Lapsed

This morning I received an email from a professional organization of which I have been a member since October 31, 1989. During those 20+ years, I have served on the board, given pro bono presentations on business writing, and attended dozens of the chapter's breakfast, lunch, and dinner meetings. Here... Read more →

Thanks but No Thanks

I have been traveling and checking most of my email on my smart phone. The other day it took my phone what seemed to be 20 seconds to download a message. It was probably only 8 to 10 seconds, but it felt longer because of all the email I had... Read more →

Is Donald Trump Wrong About "Apprenti"?

I was listening to a news show on TV tonight, when I heard Donald Trump talking about hiring 10 "apprenti." He pronounced that final word ah-PREN-tie. It is possible that Mr. Trump believes the plural of apprentice is apprenti. If so, I am here to correct him. But I will... Read more →