27 February 2017

The lowdown on capital letters

A quick, easy guide on when and how to use capital letters.

17 February 2016

Email tone: 7 steps to success

An inappropriate tone can give the wrong impression to your reader. Here are 7 tips to nail the tone of your emails.

17 December 2015

Are you using question marks correctly?

It’s not always clear when you can or can’t use a question mark. Read on to find out if you’re using them correctly.

9 November 2015

How to punctuate with quotation marks

How do you punctuate with quotation marks? Swot up by reading this guide.

23 October 2015

How to punctuate with brackets

A go-to guide on punctuating with brackets.

8 October 2015

Is your writing in the active or passive voice?

Learn the difference between the active and passive voice. Once you know it, always use the active voice in your business writing!

24 September 2015

The 6 principles of persuasive writing

Whatever your job, you need to persuade people to do things. So what’s the trick? We reveal six famous principles of persuasive writing.

11 September 2015

One word or two?

It’s easy to get held up in your writing when you’re not sure whether to use one word or two. Here’s a quick run through the most common confusions.

2 September 2015

Is it single or double quotation marks?

We seem to make up our own rules when it comes to quotation marks. And while single or double is a matter of personal style, consistency is important…

19 August 2015

Apostrophes and words ending in ‘s’

Is it James’s or James’? Barclays’s or Barclays’? And is the United States singular or plural? This blog pulls together advice from the best writing authorities to give you a handy guide on apostrophes and words ending in ‘s’.

14 August 2015

The magic number for paragraph and sentence length

Paragraph and sentence length have a big impact on the readability of your document. Keep both short and concise and you’ll transform your document!

4 August 2015

What’s the difference between a hyphen and a dash?

A hyphen (-) is mainly used to create new words and phrases. A dash (–) can be used to denote number ranges, show a joining of two parties or replace other punctuation. If this is news to you, read on.

31 July 2015

‘Agree’ vs ‘agree on’

Do you ‘agree content’ or ‘agree on content’? Find out whether you can use ‘agree’ alone.

21 July 2015

How to pronounce foreign words in English

Chorizo. Chablis. Bruschetta. Macchiato. Schadenfreude. Doppelgänger…How on earth are you supposed to pronounce foreign words in English without sounding like an idiot?

13 July 2015

Anticipate and expect

Did you know that ‘anticipate’ and ‘expect’ have different meanings? If this is news to you then it’s time to swot up!

10 July 2015

5 grammar ‘rules’ you can safely ignore

We were taught certain grammar ‘rules’ at school, which many of us continue to abide by. These are not in fact rules, so it’s time to identify and then ignore!

1 July 2015

How to write attention-grabbing letters

With five easy techniques, you can write letters that grab your readers’ attention and keep them reading!

18 June 2015

QUIZ: The ultimate grammar and punctuation quiz (for people who are up for a real challenge)

You might have taken grammar and punctuation quizzes before, and maybe you did quite well. Maybe you think you’re a grammar guru. But you’ve never done a quiz like this before. This is the quiz to end all quizzes. And it’s only 10 questions. Will you rise to the challenge? Or will you be defeated?

11 June 2015

Inspirational quotes on good writing

We’ve written many posts on grammar, punctuation and style, which are all excellent reference points for the business writer. But often a great quote (by a great thinker) can really inspire you. So here are a few to raise your interest in writing well.

1 June 2015

3 writing mistakes you don’t know you’re making

Do you love long sentences? Are you a sucker for the passive voice? You could be making some big-time writing mistakes. Here are three to watch out for.

27 May 2015

That and which (and when to use commas)

Choosing between ‘that’ and ‘which’ in a sentence isn’t always easy. And knowing whether to use commas adds another layer of complication. This post gives you simple and helpful advice.

12 May 2015

The Oxford comma: what’s it all about?

Think it’s wrong to put a comma before ‘and’ in a list? Think again. It’s time for you to meet the Oxford comma.

4 May 2015

The truth about business writing style: keep it simple

Do you spend more time flicking through a thesaurus than thinking about your main message? If fancy language is the focus of your business writing style, something’s gone wrong. But it’s never too late to get it right…

29 April 2015

The comma splice

It’s all too common to separate two independent clauses with a comma. This is called a comma splice and is grammatically incorrect. The good news is that it’s easily fixed.

21 April 2015

Can ‘they’ be singular?

In English, there’s no grammatically, politically and stylistically correct way to refer to unknown individuals. So what are your options?

15 April 2015

What is a malapropism?

‘For all intensive purposes, we should of conducted the do diligence before making the acquisition.’ What is a malapropism and how do you avoid it?

1 April 2015

How to use and punctuate ‘however’

‘However’ is a word we’re all familiar with. Most people know what it means, feel comfortable with it and never give the word a second thought. Yet, it’s often used and punctuated incorrectly. So here’s a short guide to help you get it right.

25 March 2015

When to use ‘I’ and ‘we’ in business writing

Is it OK to write ‘we’ in a report? What if ‘we’ refers to more than one group of people? And can you shift between ‘I’ and ‘we’ in an email? This post guides you through.

20 March 2015

Common Americanisms

Do you know which Americanisms you always use? Use this guide to stop you from mixing up British and American English.

3 February 2015

May and might

The rules about may and might are more relaxed than they used to be. Nowadays, the words are often interchangeable, but there are a few subtle differences worth knowing about.

27 January 2015

While and whilst

The differences between ‘while’ and ‘whilst’ and how to use the words properly.

20 January 2015

Opening sentences: how to start an email

Do you struggle to start emails and spend ages on your opening sentence? Save yourself time by following this guide.

9 January 2015

Colons

Many people are reluctant to use colons. But the rules are actually quite simple…

6 January 2015

Five ways to sharpen your business language in 2015

2015 is the year to become a superb business writer! And it doesn’t take much – just a nudge in the right direction and a little determination. So what are you waiting for?

15 December 2014

Five ways to keep your work emails safe

One short email can destroy a career. So follow these five basic steps to keep your work emails safe and protect your reputation.

10 December 2014

Infinitive verbs with or without to

Do you ‘help develop’ or ‘help to develop’ skills? This post explains the infinitive verb and how to use it in everyday writing.

24 November 2014

‘Data is’ or ‘data are’: is it worth fighting over Latin words?

Data, agenda, media, memoranda… These words spark debate in offices up and down the country. Should we still follow Latin form, or is it time to move on?

18 November 2014

Wriggle words: how to write clearly and not get sued

We all know that clear, concise writing is essential in business. Yet many of us struggle to make our point. Why? Often it’s a fear of commitment.

10 November 2014

Into or in to?

Most of us know instinctively whether to use ‘into’ or ‘in to’, but occasionally we need a helping hand…

4 November 2014

Historic or historical?

Historic and historical are often confused, but they have very different meanings. Time to sort it out.

15 October 2014

Be short, be simple, be human: an introduction to plain writing

We can all struggle to find words that accurately express our thoughts, and this gets in the way of communicating our message. Let me introduce the principle of plain writing: keep it short and simple (KISS). Adopting this principle every time you write will make the process easier and the end product far clearer.

3 October 2014

Should you worry about grammar mistakes on social media?

We all know that grammar, punctuation and typo mistakes are bad. Very bad. So bad that one misplaced apostrophe can cause you to doubt the entire education system and your value as a human being. Or so it would seem based on the public response to social media mistakes. But are we being too harsh on ourselves?

26 September 2014

Program or programme?

When should you use ‘program’ and when ‘programme’?

19 September 2014

Writing numbers in business documents

Is it 7 or seven? Three per cent or 3%? We cover the most common rules for writing numbers so your documents are consistent and professional.

12 September 2014

Bankers: ditch the slang and embrace proper English

After eight years as an investment banker, our anonymous guest blogger blows the whistle…on financial slang. We share his story and applaud his bravery.

5 September 2014

How to write an effective sales email

You’re back from the summer break and super motivated for work! (Yes, you are.) And what better way to start the autumn than by generating new business? Hurray! But maybe your sales emails fall flat. So before you start, let us show you how to write emails that people want to read.

4 July 2014

Hyphens bits and bobs

Using hyphens properly will take your business writing to the next level. Otis advises on when you should use hyphens, when to leave them out and everything in between.

27 June 2014

Hyphens with prefixes

Using hyphens properly will take your business writing to the next level. Otis advises on when you should use hyphens, when to leave them out and everything in between.

20 June 2014

Hyphens to create new words and phrases

Using hyphens properly will take your business writing to the next level. Otis advises on when you should use hyphens, when to leave them out and everything in between.

13 June 2014

How do you stay focused in a world of distractions?

Too distracted to work? Aren’t we all! But marketing consultant Nik Speller offers up useful tips on how to remove unwanted distractions that kill concentration and stifle good writing.

6 June 2014

Surviving and thriving at presentations

Weak at the knees at the thought of presenting? A well-prepared presentation will settle your nerves. And we have seven top tips to help you win.

16 May 2014

The F-word: will swearing at work get you fired?

Lots of people swear at work without a problem. Others swear at work and lose their jobs. So should you ever use the F-word in the office? And if you’re prone to swearing, how can you stay safe?

9 May 2014

A rough guide to dealing with Brits in the workplace

‘We aren’t as miserable as we seem’, says entrepreneur and guest blogger James Osbaldeston, as he tries to persuade international colleagues to go easy on the British at work.

6 May 2014

Affect or effect?

Not sure whether to use ‘affect’ or ‘effect’ in your business writing? Otis will sort you out.

2 May 2014

Email subject line: get it right every time [video]

To open or not to open? That is the question your readers will ask – based on your email subject line. So don’t fluff it. Watch our video and get it right.

22 April 2014

Dangling participles and modifiers: what are they and how can you avoid them?

Dangling participles and modifiers are a sign of bad writing and can turn your great sentences into a joke. But do you know what they are and how to avoid them? If you’re not sure, read on…

17 April 2014

Tautology at work: don’t repeat yourself

Whether you offer a free gift or announce a major breakthrough, take a few moments to check you don’t repeat yourself in business writing.

4 April 2014

How to manage your business emails

We all hate email mishaps, which is why I’m campaigning to bring back the phone. Yay, the phone – that good old piece of technology that never embarrassed or failed you. Let it back in your life and you won’t regret it.

1 April 2014

When should I use formal writing?

This week, we look at when to use ‘formal’ language at work.

25 March 2014

‘Compare with’ or ‘compare to’?

This week, we look at using ‘compare with’ and ‘compare to’. Which one is correct?

21 March 2014

With sincerest gratitude: how to sign off your emails

Life is so much easier when there are rules to follow – for me at least. But email etiquette is in its infancy and no one’s quite sure what to do. If you find email sign-offs a minefield, my handy guide will help you avoid an explosion.

18 March 2014

Is it OK to split an infinitive?

This week, we’re diving head first into the controversial topic of split infinitives.

14 March 2014

What does global English mean to you?

You’re more likely to get a job in England today if English is your second language, not your first. So for how much longer will ‘standard’ British and US English rule supreme? And what must we do in the UK to adapt?

7 March 2014

Six top tips for proofreading perfection

Let’s face it, we all make mistakes in our documents. Some are more forgivable than others, but they all undermine the hard work we put in. What’s the best way to avoid them? You can vow never to write again, but that’s a little impractical. Instead, follow my simple six-step guide to proofreading.

4 March 2014

Whoever vs whomever

This week, we’re tackling the tricky issue of choosing between ‘whoever’ and ‘whomever’.

28 February 2014

Business writing: why you shouldn’t tone it down

When you communicate with a client, customer or colleague, there are two rules of thumb: work out your purpose and choose your tone. Guest blogger Pippa Van Praagh from City & Guilds explains why this matters and how you should go about it.

25 February 2014

How to use full stops with abbreviations

This post tells you all you ever wanted to know about using a full stops with abbreviations, acronyms and contractions.

21 February 2014

Is office jargon really a problem?

People have been complaining about jargon and management speak for a very long time. But are we making a fuss over nothing? Or does this language suggest bigger problems in our work culture?

18 February 2014

Using contractions in business writing

Is it OK to use contractions in business writing, such as ‘don’t’, ‘can’t’, ‘won’t’? Read on to find out.

14 February 2014

The language of love

Since it’s Valentine’s Day, here’s a special post featuring love-related vocab. What’s the most romantic language in the world? You decide, but I bet it won’t be English!

Comfort vocab: what’s your trade mark phrase?

Do you repeatedly use the same words in speech or writing? Is it deliberate or subconscious? Today we explore comfort vocab and what it says about our approach to work.

11 February 2014

Uninterested vs disinterested

Is there a difference between uninterested and disinterested? Absolutely! And you don’t want to get them muddled up.

7 February 2014

The importance of clear legal writing

The Law Society and the Solicitors Regulation Authority have supported plain English for years. But why are lawyers still so reluctant to use clear language? In just 400 words we try to persuade our legalistic readers to change their ways.

31 January 2014

Five easy ways to improve writing in your organisation

We list our top five tips for improving writing in your organisation. Do you have any other suggestions? Have you tried something that’s really worked? Share your experiences by posting a comment.

28 January 2014

How to speak on someone’s behalf

The Attica Owl solves your writing dilemmas. This week, one reader wants to know whether to use ‘I’ or ‘me’ in an important speech.

24 January 2014

Is it ever acceptable to use :-) at work?

I’ve found myself using smiley faces in emails to colleagues with increasing frequency. But is there a line and, if so, where should it be drawn?

How should we use emoticons?