Than vs. Then

Than is used to show comparisons: John is taller than I am.

Then is used to show passage of time: I did this, then I did that. 

Quick Guide to Capitalization Rules

Help with Capitalization

Is it National Park or national park?
Is it Capital Building or capital building or Capital building?

Don't know? Not sure? Check out OWL and learn the rules.

Good Business W riting

Good business writing meets the 3-C's requirement:

- Clarity: Is the document easy to follow and understand?
- Conciseness: Does the document use the minimum number of words and no more?
- Correctness: Are grammar, punctuation, sentences and all facts accurate?

Links to great writing resources

The Ultimate Guide to Better Business Writing: 100 Tips, Tools, and Resources--http://onlinedegreeprograms.org/blog/2009/the-ultimate-guide-to-better-business-writing-100-tips-tools-and-resources/

Latin abbreviations, etc., etc., and so forth

etc. = and so forth "et cetera"
et al. = and other people "et alii"
i.e. = that is "id est"
e.g. = for example "exempli gratia"
ibid. = in the same place "ibidem"
op. cit. = in the work cited "opere citato"

Latin abbreviations are italicized and use periods as shown. If they are in the middle of a sentence, they have a comma before and after, e.g., this sentence.

Business Writing Fundamentals Workshop

This workshop explains how business writers create successful materials and provides a process for planning and writing documents that gets results. Learn how to:

- Determine content before writing.
- Focus on reader benefits.
- Write more easily and confidently.
- Apply journalistic solutions to business writing problems.
- Revise for clarity and understanding.
- Identify and correct wordiness.

DATE: Friday, October 16, 2009 -1:00 to 4:30 PM

LOCATION: 505 West Olive Avenue, Building 500, Suite 510, Sunnyvale CA 94086
Cost: $75 per person

INSTRUCTOR: Patricia Haddock

TO REGISTER OR FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
CALL: 650-949-7797 OR
EMAIL: profwd@fhda.edu

WORKSHOP PAYMENT OPTIONS:
CREDIT CARD (VISA/MASTERCARD/DISCOVER)
PURCHASE ORDER
CHECK

This and That

This identifies an object nearby:
- This book is boring.


That identifies an object farther away:
- I think I will read that book now.

"Staff is" vs. "Staff are"

Collective nouns are words that appear singular, but represent a group, such as flock, staff, class, committee, and jury.

If the group acts as a single unit, or if the idea of oneness is key, use a singular verb:
- The jury has reached a verdict.
- A couple of birds has built a nest in the eaves of my house.
- My staff is preparing the report to the board.

If members of the group act separately or if the word refers to individuals within the group, use the plural verb:
- A group of researchers from Europe are coming to the conference.
- A couple of latecomers are not seated.
- My staff are consistently late for work.


What about these?
- Human rights is a sensitive issue.
- Human rights are often ignored.

Nouns that end in “-ics” take a singular verb if they refer to a body of knowledge; a plural verb, if they refer to particular activities:
- Statistics is a boring subject for many students.
- Statistics are often interpreted for the benefit of the speaker.

Aide vs. Aid

Are you an aid or an aide to your boss?

Aid can be used as a noun meaning a form of help or a verb meaning to help.

- We offer aid to people affected by disaster.
- We aid those affected by disaster.

Aide is a noun and means an assistant.

- John Taylor is the senator's aide.
- You are an aide to your boss.

That or Which?

That = introduces essential information: “The mystery book that is on the third shelf is mine” means that there is more than one mystery book and mine is the one on the third shelf.

Which = introduces nonessential information: “The mystery book, which is on the third shelf, is mine” means that there is only one mystery book, it is on the third shelf, and it is mine.