General Communication Archives

General Communication

Cleaning Up “Spots” for Global Readers

Because I appreciate having blog and newsletters readers around the world, I try to recognize words and expressions that do not translate well. Spot is one of those words. I have found it in a variety of pieces I have written, and it is time… continue reading

Recommended Guide: “Caps and Spelling”

My latest reference book purchases are The Canadian Press Stylebook: A Guide for Writers and Editors, 16th Edition, and Caps and Spelling, 20th Edition, also published by Canadian Press. Although I have bought the stylebook before, Caps and Spelling is new to me, and I… continue reading

An email with the body text "I hope this email finds you well"

Opening Sentences for Global Email

Updated: 13 October 2021 Readers have asked me to suggest opening sentences for emails that go to people around the world. The goal of these openers is to avoid coming across as blunt and impolite, especially in messages to people from cultures in which English… continue reading

New Year’s Wishes for 2023

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… continue reading

How Do You Like Your Holiday Cards?

Cathy wrote to me today, concerned about a possible change in how her team sends holiday greeting cards. In the past they have purchased holiday cards, addressed them to a mailing list of customers and other important people, had everyone on the team sign them,… continue reading

“Few” vs. “A Few”: What a Difference an “A” Makes!

I recently worked on business writing with a manager from India who spoke several Indian languages as well as English. She made an error that I have since noticed in another Indian manager's writing, so I thought it was worth writing about here. It involved using… continue reading

title graphic stating "words with no plural form in English"

General Communication

Recognizing Words With No Plural Forms

I am working with an executive who speaks English as a second language, with Chinese as her first language. She was very surprised to learn that the words information, knowledge, and jewelry have no plural forms. Would you join me in making a list of such words… continue reading

Today Is 1/11/11–Or Is It?

In the United States, today is 1/11/11. In much of the rest of the world, it's 11/1/11. That difference is enough to argue against using numbers alone. Although all those 1s look terrific together, numbers alone can't communicate with the clarity of words, especially if you have… continue reading

General Communication

Being in the Moment

I sent out our monthly e-newsletter, Better Writing at Work, yesterday. As usual we got hundreds of out-of-office messages. Here is my favorite, which came from Phillip in Germany: “I am in the moment not in the office.” I prefer Phillip’s preposition. Lynn

General Communication

Birthday Confusion–A U.S.-vs.-the-World Problem

We have just welcomed to our home an international exchange student from the Middle East. When I read the information she included on her program application, I added her birthday to our calendar: June 5. But here's the problem: Her birthday is May 6. How could I have gotten… continue reading