Hi
Here's a post to help you with your business writing. Do you ever use any of the phrases below in the wrong way?
Avoid problems created by these words or phrases in your business documents:
• Due to the fact that
Using this phrase is a sure sign that your sentence is in trouble. Did you mean because? Due to is acceptable after a linking verb (The policy’s failure was due to the lack of focus); otherwise, avoid it.
• Each and every
Use one or the other, but not both.
• Firstly, secondly, thirdly, etc.
Number things with first, second, third, etc. and not with these adverbial forms. As an adverbial form, these expressions are more common in the spoken form rather than the written form.
• Got
Many writers regard got as an ugly word, and they have a point. If you can avoid it in business writing, do so. (I have got to begin my report right away. I have got the disks your need.)
• Kind of or Sort of
These are OK in informal situations, but in business writing, substitute rather or slightly. (We were kind of pleased with the results. = We were rather pleased with the results.)
• Lots or lots of
In business writing, avoid these colloquialisms when you can use many or much. Remember, when you do use these words, that lots of something countable are plural. Remember, too, that a lot of requires three words: He spent a lot of money. (not alot of).
• On account of
Use because instead. This expression is considered rather redundant, formal and outdated.
• Per / As Per
Use according to instead. Instead of writing, 'We did it per your instructions'; write 'We did it according to your instructions.'
Or, in the example, ‘As per your request’; remove the per and the pronoun and simply write ‘As requested’ using the past tense of the verb.
Per is considered old-fashioned and nowadays redundant.
• So as to
Usually, a simple to is acceptable. Instead of writing, 'I worked late so as to finish my report'; write 'I worked late to finish my report.'
• Try and
Don't try and do something. Try to do something.
Posting again in a few days. Watch out for that.
