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Spelling & Misused Words


Here are a few basics that will help you glide through your business writing.

Spelling: Misspelled words may seem harmless, but they are easily the most noticeable error in any form of writing. We rely on our computers, and the general notion is that a spell-checker on Microsoft Office can take care of all your spelling worries. Use the spell-check, but make sure to always revise your work at least once. Here are the reasons why:


Let us say you are writing to your customer to inform him or her about a new product your bank has launched. Your letter goes out and it reads:

"We are proud to introduce this new product to a steamed customer."

Will the reader feel really "esteemed" when you are spelling the word incorrectly?

A spell-checker will not catch this one: "I'd like to way in on the matter."

Chances are that the reader will see this in a negative way and probably will think that if you cannot take the time to correct spelling errors, you will show the same carelessness with customers' money. A little mistake can go a long way in forming negative impressions, so be very careful.

There are some words that are commonly spelled wrong, and many people do not even realize it. For example, there is no such word as "alot," yet many people write it as such. The correct usage is "a lot" because it is actually two words. The Internet has opened up a new can of worms as well when it comes to word usage and spelling. Many people do not realize that the dictionary lists "Web site" and not "website," and it is "World Wide Web" in capital letters and therefore "Web" when referring to just one of the words to describe the Internet. Also, Internet is capitalized according to the dictionary.


Abbreviations: Often people write the way they talk. While in colloquial usage, certain abbreviations and short forms are understandable, they should be avoided in business writing. Business writing is professional, and at times the use of short forms makes it appear unprofessional. Abbreviations also are not understood by everyone. Avoid using abbreviations when you know that some of your readers may not understand them. Abbreviations and short forms may confuse the readers and your communication will fail to deliver its message

Jargon: By definition, jargon is a characteristic language of a particular group. It is a vocabulary common to a set of people who are in the same profession. While it might be acceptable for people in the same profession to use jargon when they are talking, it becomes a problem when the jargon is extended to people beyond the closed group.

Here are some of the problems that people using jargon in business writing encounter:


Commonly misused words: There are many, many words in English that have been used and misused over the years. Words such as "effect" and "affect," "advise" and "advice," and "accept" and "except" are misused every day.



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