Writing for Business http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/writing-for-business A Whatis.com Blog Thu, 02 Jul 2009 22:28:34 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 en © contactus@itknowledgeexchange.com () contactus@itknowledgeexchange.com() contactus@itknowledgeexchange.com No no http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/writing-for-business/wp-content/plugins/podpress/images/powered_by_podpress.jpg Writing for Business http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/writing-for-business 144 144 Which is correct — deserts or desserts? http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/writing-for-business/which-is-correct-deserts-or-desserts/ http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/writing-for-business/which-is-correct-deserts-or-desserts/#comments Thu, 02 Jul 2009 20:04:06 +0000 Ivy Wigmore http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/writing-for-business/which-is-correct-chafe-or-chaff/ typing Which is correct?
Some people fear that robots will get out of hand and suggest that we`ll get our just _______ because we allowed it to happen.
a. deserts
b. desserts

Answer: a

Explanation: We`re not getting cake. Desert, in this context, is a form of the word deserve.

Fun with Words provides more examples of commonly confused words.

]]> http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/writing-for-business/which-is-correct-deserts-or-desserts/feed/ Which is correct — less or fewer? http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/writing-for-business/which-is-correct-less-or-fewer-2/ http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/writing-for-business/which-is-correct-less-or-fewer-2/#comments Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:05:55 +0000 Ivy Wigmore http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/writing-for-business/which-is-correct-less-or-fewer-2/ typing Which is correct?
Although Firefox has gained market share, ____ than 25 percent of Web users report that it`s their main browser.
a. less
b. fewer

Answer: b.

Explanation: Because it`s a percentage of something quantifiable (Web users), fewer is the appropriate choice. We only use less to refer to something that is an undifferentiated mass — and humans tend to resent being referred to that way.

Martha Brockenbrough from The Society for the Promotion of Good Grammar offers more information in her Top 10 Grammar Tips. Also discusses that prohibition against ending with a preposition, using a Bonnie Raitt song as an example. (Would you want to listen to a song called Let`s give them something about which to talk?)

]]> http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/writing-for-business/which-is-correct-less-or-fewer-2/feed/ Which is correct — long standing or long-standing? http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/writing-for-business/which-is-correct-long-standing-or-long-standing/ http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/writing-for-business/which-is-correct-long-standing-or-long-standing/#comments Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:02:40 +0000 Ivy Wigmore http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/writing-for-business/which-is-correct-long-standing-or-long-standing/ typing Which is correct?
According to some privacy experts, Google’s use of Web bugs violates the company’s __________ injunction against “being evil.”
a. long standing
b. long-standing

Answer: b

Explanation: The reason to hyphenate long-standing is the same as for a lot of other compound words — because if you don’t hyphenate, things can get confusing. For example, if you wrote about “a long standing board member,” one could assume it meant that the board member was tall and was not sitting down.

The Queen’s English Society offers more explanation and examples.

News flash! Site director Margaret Rouse just informed me that Google is no longer officially anti-evil. Why do I find myself reminded of Animal Farm, when the pigs edited The Seven Commandments to accomodate changes they wanted to make?

]]> http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/writing-for-business/which-is-correct-long-standing-or-long-standing/feed/ Neither/nor and verb agreement http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/writing-for-business/neithernor-and-verb-agreement/ http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/writing-for-business/neithernor-and-verb-agreement/#comments Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:32:40 +0000 Ivy Wigmore http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/writing-for-business/?p=550 typing Which is correct?
Neither Microsoft nor VMware _____ that open source products pose a challenge.
a. deny
b. denies

Answer: b

Explanation: When two singular subjects are joined by or or nor, use the singular verb form.

On Seeing Indigo, Hannah Kingrey discusses issues with subject/verb agreement.

]]> http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/writing-for-business/neithernor-and-verb-agreement/feed/ Capitalization — Web server or web server? http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/writing-for-business/capitalization-web-server-or-web-server/ http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/writing-for-business/capitalization-web-server-or-web-server/#comments Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:39:31 +0000 Ivy Wigmore http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/writing-for-business/capitalization-web-server-or-web-server/ typing Which is correct?
Commonly virtualized applications include ____ servers and infrastructure servers.
a. Web
b. web

Answer: a

Explanation: In general, the current style for both Web and Internet is to capitalize. See more writing style standards here.

However, some publications no longer capitalize either word. Tony Long reported in 2004 that, for the purposes of Wired, It’s Just the “internet” Now.

]]> http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/writing-for-business/capitalization-web-server-or-web-server/feed/ Use numerals for fractions or spell out? http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/writing-for-business/use-numerals-for-fractions-or-spell-out/ http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/writing-for-business/use-numerals-for-fractions-or-spell-out/#comments Wed, 24 Jun 2009 18:21:29 +0000 Ivy Wigmore http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/writing-for-business/?p=541 typing Which is correct?
According to IDG Research Services, only _____ of IT managers say they have good visibility into new application development spending.
a. one-third
b. 1/3

Answer: a

Explanation: Spell out simple fractions.

There are more tips on writing numbers here.

]]> http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/writing-for-business/use-numerals-for-fractions-or-spell-out/feed/ When to use quotation marks http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/writing-for-business/when-to-use-quotation-marks/ http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/writing-for-business/when-to-use-quotation-marks/#comments Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:47:45 +0000 Ivy Wigmore http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/writing-for-business/when-to-use-quotation-marks/ typing Which is correct?
The focus group for the new product thought the marketing approach was ___________.
a. “old-fashioned”
b. old-fashioned

Answer: b

Explanation: Don’t use quotation marks to set words off unless the meaning is unclear and the word known only in certain contexts.

I was inspired to write today’s question by a document I came across online referring to “turmoil” in the financial markets. It’s often unclear why people chose to use quotation marks. I’m still not sure what they were trying to convey. In business writing, of course, clarity is especially important. The meaning of the sentence isn’t subverted here but the use of superfluous quotation marks doesn’t reflect well on the writer.

We all have a pretty good idea about what continuing turmoil in financial markets means. Otherwise, you might use quotation marks to express irony — for example, if you said “stability” of the financial markets.

David Davies’ AP style tip sheet offers more information about when — and when not — to use quotation marks.

I love The “Blog” of “Unnecessary” Quotation Marks. (Note: I did not say that I “love” it — that’s because it would throw the whole affair into question.)

]]> http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/writing-for-business/when-to-use-quotation-marks/feed/ State names — abbreviate or not? http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/writing-for-business/state-names-abbreviate-or-not/ http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/writing-for-business/state-names-abbreviate-or-not/#comments Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:06:51 +0000 Ivy Wigmore http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/writing-for-business/state-names-abbreviate-or-not/ typing Which is correct?
HP’s corporate headquarters are in Palo Alto, ______.
a. CA
b. California

Answer: a.

Explanation: To conform to AP style, abbreviate state names when used in conjunction with a town or city name. (However, if the city is not specified, spell out the full state name.)

David Davies published this handy AP style tipsheet.

Here’s a list of abbreviations for state and province names, including both current and old-style.

]]> http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/writing-for-business/state-names-abbreviate-or-not/feed/ Clarity of reference http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/writing-for-business/clarity-of-reference/ http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/writing-for-business/clarity-of-reference/#comments Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:10:16 +0000 Ivy Wigmore http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/writing-for-business/clarity-of-reference/ typing Which is correct?
Insourcing offers some advantages over outsourcing for SMBs but _________ may not be fully explored.
a. those advantages
b. they

Answer: a.

Explanation: For clarity, you need to specify what may not be fully explored. Otherwise, the reader could think the reference was to SMBs.

]]> http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/writing-for-business/clarity-of-reference/feed/ Which is correct — pique or peak or peek? http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/writing-for-business/which-is-correct-pique-or-peak/ http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/writing-for-business/which-is-correct-pique-or-peak/#comments Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:29:33 +0000 Ivy Wigmore http://itknowledgeexchange.techtarget.com/writing-for-business/which-is-correct-pique-or-peak/ typing Which is correct?
The proliferation of smartphones has _____ interest in voice-to-text applications.
a. peaked
b. piqued
c. peeked

Answer: b.

Explanation:
To pique is to stimulate or sharpen. (It’s a French word meaning to prick.)

Peaked means increased to the highest possible level, like the peak of a mountain. That doesn’t work in this context. Interest could peak before falling off to a lower level again. However, it couldn’t BE peaked by something.

I think this is where the confusion comes in on this one. People hear of something peaking — a stock price, for example — and think this is the same word. Nope.

Peek means to take a quick look at something.

Here’s further discussion of this and other commonly misused words and phrases.

Here’s a snapshot of use and misuse online as of today, June 22, 2009:
Google search score:
Pique my interest: 3,250,000
Peak my interest: 2,110,000
Peek my interest: 298,000

That’s worse than the situation Robert Mack documented in 2007.

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