Feedback Form
Home Features Mastermind Forums About Advertise Blog Network Contact Be An Author

Grammer Tips

Grammer Tips

Grammer tips


Less than or fewer? Eldest, oldest? Presently or currently? First ever! Very unique!

Our PR firm has a thing about grammar. Not to say that we are always correct. Just that we try hard to be.

The English language is evolving but there is nothing that detracts from your image more than communications which contain spelling mistakes or obvious grammatical errors. They detract from credibility.

Good grammar is an important part of creating easy to read, informative corporate publications and press releases. Here's a lighthearted look at some simple rules:

• Avoid cliches like the plague
• Don't use no double negatives
• Who needs rhetorical questions?
• Also, always avoid annoying alliteration
• Be more or less specific
• One word sentences? Eliminate
• And don't start a sentence with a conjunction
• Never use a big word when a diminutive one will suffice
• Exaggeration is a billion times worse than understatement
• Be mindful of grammar and spelling pitfalls which can make your press release appear amateur:
• Keep it active - where possible, avoid the passive voice. Instead of "It is believed that...", try "I believe...". Not "Your report was read by the manager..." but "The manager read your report."
• Apostrophes - many writers fall into the trap of omitting apostrophes where they are required, or placing them where they're not. Billboards, brochures and other publications are rife with examples of plurals with inappropriate apostrophes (for example, tomato's instead of tomatoes on a menu).
• Apostrophes denote possession - Bill's ball - or an abbreviation - can't instead of cannot.
• Who's and whose - who's is always short for "who is". Whose is a possessive word meaning "of whom". For example "Who's the mechanic you are using?"- "The mechanic whose workshop is on Fourth Street."
• Where possible, avoid foreign words and phrases for two reasons. Firstly, you may use them in the wrong context, and secondly, your reader may not understand. Writers who constantly use foreign words and expressions are seen to be trying to show off. For example, replace inter alia with among other, tete a tete with head to head, and prima facie with at first sight.
• Avoid excessive use of adjectives and fancy language.

- John Durning, Durning Public Relations, PR & Media Adviser, Christchurch, New Zealand; ph 64-3- 365 2579; email john@durning.co.nz





Grammer Tips - To learn more about this author, visit John Durning's Website.

Like this article? Share it with your friends

Article Feedback
 Article Feedback No article feedback found.
  Leave Your Feedback
article feedback

Article Feedback
George Ludwig
George Ludwig is a recognized authority on sales strategy and peak performance psychology. An international speaker, trainer, and corporate consultant, he helps clients like Johnson & Johnson, Abbott Laboratories, Northwestern Mutual, CIGNA, and numerous others improve sales force effectiveness and performance. Though it's George's strategies and processes that help corporations increase productivity and performance, it's his tremendous energy and dynamism that spark the transformation. Again and again, clients remark on his amazing ability to unleash human capacity and inspire men and women to break out of their comfort zones. The result is a whole new type of salesperson. His customized presentations teach achievers to make stunning advances in their lives. From helping salespeople realize cherished dreams to helping corporations exponentially accelerate revenue streams, George Ludwig leaves audiences and individuals empowered, emboldened, and clamoring for more. George is the best-selling author of Power Selling: Seven Strategies for Cracking the Sales Code and Wise Moves: 60 Quick Tips to Improve Your Position in Life & Business. - Visit George Ludwig's Website


To learn more about the Evan Elite Author Program please contact us.

About The Author


John Durning
(Visit John's Website) DURNING PR PUBLIC RELATIONS AND MEDIA ADVISERS Durning PR was established in 1985 by John Durning, a Fellow of the Public Relations Institute of New Zealand. John Durning, FPRINZ, APR, managing director. Double PR industry award winner. Two decades plus in communications, having been a newspaper journalist for 10 years, including five years with The Press before establishing Durning Public Relations in 1985. A member by examination of the Public Relations Institute of New Zealand. Specialty areas: commercial, sport, industrial, finance sector, tourism, property.

John Durning is a Gold author on EvanCarmichael.com
About The Author

View Author Blog
View Author Blog

View Author Video
View Author Video

Free Downloads


John Durning's

Complete
List Of
Public-Relations
Articles

Name
Email
If you enjoyed this article, get John Durning's Complete List of Public-Relations Articles For FREE!

More John Durning
Why use PR
Tips for dealing with the media
Grammer Tips
The dripping tap feed your stories gradually
Golden Rules for Crisis Management
Communications Audit who hears your message
Internal Communications always remember your employees
Putting together a press release
Power of the press release
Build rapport with journalists
Free Downloads


 
 
 


Evan Elite Authors
Staging Diva  
John Brennan  
Kim Castle  
Evan Elite Authors

Become An Author
Have you written articles that would be of value to entrepreneurs? Become an expert on our site by publishing them! Expose yourself to a wide audience, drive more traffic to your website and get more sales! Click Here for details.
Become An Author

Evan's Latest Video
Modeling the Masters: Learn the true secrets behind Walt Disney's business success factors & grow your company! Video produced by Phanta Media
Evan's Latest Video

Business Opportunities
"Learn straight from Evan how you can Make a Full Time Income (And More) from a Website"

How to Start An Online Business

Click Here To Learn More
Business Opportunities



Evan's Newsletter
Get advice & tips from famous business owners, new articles by entrepreneur experts, my latest website updates, & special sneak peaks at what's to come!
Name:
Email:
Evan`s Newsletter

Free Downloads
SEO Today Icon SEO Today
Emotional Intelligence Icon Emotional Intelligence
Establish Self-Beliefs Icon Establish Self-Beliefs
Mastering Change Icon Mastering Change
Law of Attraction in Action Icon Law of Attraction in Action
Free Downloads - Complete List

Entrepreneur Tools and Guides
Email The Reporters
Email The Reporters
Press Release Builder
 
Top 50 Debt Blogs
Top 50 Debt Blogs
Learn To Get Out Of Debt
 
Entrepreneur Tools and Guides

SEO For Africa
SEO For Africa
Priscilla Aboringong Nitop One  Bamenda N.W.P  B, Cameroon,
Priscilla Aboringong
Nitop One Bamenda N.W.P B, Cameroon
SEO For Africa

If I Were A Startup...
Jeff Roick, $1.4 to $6.5 Mil in 2 years
Jeff Roick
$1.4 to $6.5 Mil in 2 years
Lee Segal, >1,800% Growth in 5 Years
Lee Segal
>1,800% Growth in 5 Years
If I Were A Startup... - Complete List

Famous Entrepreneurs
Walt Disney, Walt Disney
Walt Disney
Walt Disney
Larry Ellison, Oracle
Famous Entrepreneurs - Complete List

Entrepreneur Advice
Brad Feld, Venture Capitalist
Brad Feld
Venture Capitalist
Guy Kawasaki, The Art of the Start
Guy Kawasaki
The Art of the Start
Entrepreneur Advice - Complete List

Popular Articles
(Premium Authors)

     The Power of Excellence
By Terry Yoffe
     The Power of Effective Communication
By Terry Yoffe
     The Power of Language
By Terry Yoffe

Have A Suggestion?
Toronto Salsa Classes / Toronto Salsa Lessons Email us your ideas on how to make our website more valuable! Thank you Sharon from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for your suggestions to make the newsletter look like the website and profile younger entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez and Sean Combs!
Have A Suggestion?

More Evan Carmichael
More Information