Writing for Business - A Whatis.com Blog:

commonly misused expressions


May 11, 2013  9:10 PM

Things you can do when you get to a bridge: Cross, burn or jump



Posted by: Ivy Wigmore
CIO, commonly misused expressions, malaphors, meanings of common expressions

Which is correct? We'll _____ that bridge when we come to it. a. cross b. burn c. jump off Continued...

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April 23, 2013  10:26 PM

Another thing coming or another think coming?



Posted by: Ivy Wigmore
Anachronisms, archaic words and phrases, commonly misused expressions, OED, The Word Detective

Which is correct? If you think you can rely on Microsoft Word's grammar checker, you've got another _______ coming. a. thing b. think

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March 13, 2013  1:20 PM

Do you turn your nose up or down?



Posted by: Ivy Wigmore
CIO, commonly misused expressions, malaphors, meanings of common expressions, metaphors

Which is correct? According to some analysts, the main reason people turned their noses ___ at the Zune media player was that Microsoft just isn't considered cool. a. up b. down


February 13, 2013  2:01 PM

Is the expression “one and the same” or “one in the same”?



Posted by: Ivy Wigmore
commonly misunderstood phrases, commonly misused expressions, ESL, Paul Brians

Which is correct? Microsoft’s approach with Windows 8 is that tablets and PCs are ____________: same interface, same apps, same...


December 21, 2012  10:33 PM

Is the rule changing on “comprised of”?



Posted by: Ivy Wigmore
commonly misunderstood terms, commonly misused expressions, commonly misused phrases, commonly misused words, confusing words

  I had a comment, a while back, on this post about "comprised of." The correspondent wrote that, contrary to my conclusion, "comprised of" is acceptable in the UK. I know these things...


December 21, 2012  10:15 PM

In regard to or in regards to?



Posted by: Ivy Wigmore
CIO, commonly misused expressions, word meanings

  Which is correct? In _______ to your meeting request, could we hold off until the first of the year? a. regard b. regards Continued...

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September 10, 2012  2:05 PM

“augurs well” vs. “all goes well”



Posted by: Ivy Wigmore
CIO, commonly misunderstood terms, commonly misused expressions, eggcorns

Which is correct? The percentages of salary raises in the industry __________ for IT employment prospects. a. augurs well b. all goes well

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January 28, 2010  4:11 PM

Intensive purposes or intents and purposes?



Posted by: Ivy Wigmore
Business writing, CIO, commonly misused expressions, commonly misused phrases, for all intensive purposes, for all intents and purposes, grammar, idioms, idiotisms, Quiz

Which is correct? Although a distinction is sometimes made, _________________ "non-profit" and "not-for-profit" both refer the same type of business model. a. for all intensive purposes b. for all intents and purposes


October 1, 2009  2:19 PM

Come down the pipe or the pike?



Posted by: Ivy Wigmore
Business writing, CIO, commonly misused expressions, grammar, homophones, Quiz

Which is correct? According to some experts, RATs are the most dangerous creatures to _________________ a. come down the pipe. b. come down the pike.

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September 28, 2009  2:41 PM

Take a different tact — or tack?



Posted by: Ivy Wigmore
Business writing, CIO, commonly confused words, commonly misused expressions, grammar, homophones, Quiz, tact / tack

Which is correct? When we learned that our relaxed approach to VoIP security made us more vulnerable to corporate espionage, we decided it was time to take a different ____. a. tack b. tact