James Smith, Author at BusinessWritingBlog

Featured image illustrating whether to use afterward, afterwards, or afterword.

Vocabulary

Are We Supposed to Meet Afterward, Afterwards, or Afterword?

Will you speak afterward or afterwards? Or is it later? Let’s shed some light: “Afterward” and “afterwards” can be used interchangeably, although the former is considered standard in American English. An “afterword” is a section of a book that comes after the main body, intended to… continue reading

A graphic explaining what is a letter of intent: " A formal letter that expresses your intentions to do something"

Resumes and Cover Letters

What Is a Letter of Intent & How to Write One (with Examples)

Learning how to draft a Letter of Intent (LOI) and outline your terms is essential to developing a business mindset. These letters are common for new graduates and job seekers alike, but how do you summarize your intentions accurately and concisely in an LOI? We’ll… continue reading

A graphic with a house and text: "All About the Noun"

Grammar and Usage

All About the Noun: from the Common to Beyond

Nouns are the most common parts of speech you will encounter in your writing; however, many people need help identifying these vital pieces of sentence structure. They are a foundation for strong and grammatically correct sentences because nouns function as subjects and serve other important… continue reading

Resumes and Cover Letters

Curriculum Vitae vs a Resumé: What’s the Difference?

Let’s talk Curriculum Vitae vs Resume. When applying for a job, the terms curriculum vitae and resumé refer to documents that outline a job seeker’s skills so that the hiring managers can screen applicants based on their eligibility for the role. Such a document is… continue reading

A graphic with the words "Cover Letter Outline"

Resumes and Cover Letters

Cover Letter Outline (With Examples)

A cover letter is a simple communication explaining why you, out of all the applicants available, are the best pick for the job. Every company doesn’t require cover letters, but they represent the skills and background experience that help you stand out from the crowd. Before… continue reading

A picture of a cross road sign with two green arrows pointing the opposite way. One arrow says Being and the other says Been

Grammar and Usage

“Be” Smart about the Use of “Been” and “Being”

People sometimes struggle to understand when it is proper to use “been” and “being” in writing, and some even experience difficulty using the base or infinitive version “to be.” Here is a quick guide to success! “Be” is the root form of the verb, most… continue reading

“Vs” Versus “Vs.” Versus “V.”

“Vs” Versus “vs.” Versus “V.” The abbreviations “Vs.” “V.” and “Vs” are short for the word “versus,” not to be confused with the word “verses.” The word versus means “opposed” to something or someone, as in competition. All three standard abbreviations are acceptable, although “vs”… continue reading

Capitalization

I’m Lost – Do I Capitalize Compass Directions Such as “North”?

Do we capitalize cardinal directions such as “north” or “south”? Let’s start with a few quick answers: Generally, directional words will be lowercase when referring to a non-specific direction or location. However, capitalize them if they are part of the name of a specific (proper)… continue reading

Grammar and Usage

Caught “In-between” “Inbetween” and “In Between”

Is it inbetween or in between? Here is the quick answer: “Inbetween” is an improper form of the word and should not appear in writing. “In between” is generally accepted in speech, but when writing, eliminate “in” and use the more concise “between” instead. “In-between”… continue reading

A graphic showing the word "crisis" written multiple times with the words "plural of" above

Grammar and Usage

Plural of “Crisis:” Avoiding the Tragic Catastrophe of Misuse

If you hesitate to use “crisis” or “crises” because you are unsure which is proper, you are not alone. Read on to understand how to use each form of the word correctly.A crisis is a severe situation that can have severe consequences. “Crisis” is… continue reading

Author Archives: James Smith