<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
'staff of suitable calibre and quality' (Overemphasis and confusion of meaning.)
\n'I personally believe...' (Who else believes?)<\/p>\n
Another common fault is unnecessary adjectives and adverbs:<\/p>\n
true facts (If it is a fact it is true.)
\nactively investigate (Can you investigate passively?)
\nactive consideration (Can you consider passively?)
\nquite unique ('Unique' means the only one.)
\nabsolutely impossible ('Impossibility' is absolute.)
\nan unfilled vacancy (A vacancy is something unfilled!)
\nI would suggest (If you mean it, why be tentative?)
\ncompletely fatal (Can something be half or partially fatal?)<\/p>\n
The list is endless! Ruthlessly edit these banalities out of your writing.<\/p>\n
This form of traditional, pointless jargon is described by the the Oxford Concise Dictionary as 'barbarous or debased language'. Many of the phrases are clich\u00e9s that we use unthinkingly:<\/p>\n
'further to the above' (referring to a heading)
\n'the aforementioned'
\n'at this moment in time'
\n'at the end of the day'
\n'in the not too distant future'
\n'a substantial proportion'
\n'for the reason that'
\n'taking into consideration'<\/p>\n
Again, seek out these and similar ghastly phrases and get them out of your writing.
\nVague, abstract words and phrases<\/p>\n
Using long-winded phrases leads to vagueness. Be specific in your writing. Do not write: Use concrete rather than abstract words: they are more easily understandable. A concrete word is something you can see or feel. For example:<\/p>\n An abstract word is not something you can see or feel. They generally represent concepts (an abstract word itself!). For example:<\/p>\n Such 'idea' words need explanations - the more explanations the more complex the idea.<\/p>\n Try to choose words which convey precise ideas to your readers, for example:<\/p>\n Do not write<\/strong>:<\/p>\n transport facilities if you can write:<\/p>\n trains, cars, lorries The more directly you express yourself the happier your reader will be.<\/p>\n Words such as 'perhaps', 'probably', 'comparatively', etc. are used by writers to avoid committing themselves. If that is your deliberate intention, then all right.<\/p>\n However, if it is not intended, it destroys conviction. Where these words carry such implications, avoid them.<\/p>\n Avoid words that sit on the fence and 'hedge' the meaning until it has no meaning. In the example below, the italicised words 'hedge':<\/p>\n Additional evidence suggests that the difference in the midrange of the curves may possibly indicate a curve form that our hypothesis may not adequately encompass.<\/p>\n Are you any wiser?<\/p>\n Keep modifying words or phrases close to the word or phrase they modify, otherwise your meaning will be uncertain. For example: Do not write that Misplaced modifiers can also be amusing (but may make you look rather foolish): Be careful not to use a pronoun when you have already used two nouns in that sentence - or sometimes in a preceding sentence. For example: Many words that have two (or more) meanings may leave the reader in doubt about your message. For example: If you are unsure of a word that you feel\/know has more than one meaning, look it up in the dictionary! The context is often a clue to the meaning intended.<\/p>\n The Double Negative is further discussed here<\/p>\n Try to phrase your message in a positive way rather than a negative one. Instead of: Always try and avoid multiple negatives, such as: Sometimes we can use a multiple negative to give an extra shade of meaning. For example: Before allowing this sort of negative construction to stand, make sure that it is really needed, either to make your point or add emphasis.<\/p>\n There are plenty of traps that the unwary writer can fall into. Those mentioned in this chapter are some of the most common. But don't let these pitfalls stop you writing. Just get it down on paper. The later process of editing will correct errors and idiocies.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A Guide to Business Writing (continued) 5. Write clearly, simply and specifically Here are some common pitfalls to avoid: superfluous words pompous phrases vague, abstract words and phrases ‘hedging’ the proximity rule misuse of pronouns words with several meanings double negatives. Superfluous words ‘staff of suitable calibre and quality’ (Overemphasis and confusion of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-228","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-useful-guides"],"gutentor_comment":0,"yoast_head":"\n
\nIt was suggested that consideration be given to the possibility of improvement in our facilities for conferences with the object of elimination of noise and provision of adequate ventilation.<\/strong><\/em>
\nif you can write:
\nWe need a better place to meet. This room is noisy and hot.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n
\n
\neducational amenities
\ncommunication
\nresearch facilities
\ncomputing facilities
\nworker on a temporary basis
\nin the engineering field
\nthe human factor<\/p>\n
\nschools, colleges
\ne-mail, letter, phone call
\nchemistry laboratory
\ncomputers
\ntemporary staff
\nin engineering
\npeople<\/p>\n'Hedging'<\/h3>\n
The proximity rule<\/h3>\n
\nA discussion was held on overtime working in the office.<\/strong>
\nWhat went on in the office - the discussion or the overtime working? Or was the discussion held while the staff were on overtime? Make the meaning quite clear; rewrite the sentence - even if it becomes a bit longer - and use punctuation. For example:
\nA discussion, on overtime working, was held in the office.<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nThe work area needs cleaning badly.<\/strong>
\nwhen you mean
\nThe work area badly needs cleaning.<\/strong><\/p>\n
\n We saw a man on a horse with a wooden leg.<\/strong>
\n The fire was extinguished before any damage was done by the fire brigade.<\/strong>
\n He told her that he wanted to marry her frequently.<\/strong><\/p>\nMisuse of pronouns<\/h3>\n
\nMary told Susan she was being promoted.<\/strong><\/em>
\nWho was being promoted?
\nThe car collided with the van at the crossroads. It had to be towed away quickly to avoid a traffic jam.
\nWhat had to be towed away?<\/p>\nWords with several meanings<\/h3>\n
\nWe dispense with accuracy.
\nJohn is aggressive<\/strong>.
\nIt is practically done.<\/p>\nDouble negatives<\/h3>\n
\na decision should not be delayed<\/em>
\nwrite
\na decision should be made<\/em><\/p>\n
\nthere is no reason to doubt that it is not true<\/em>
\nThe chances of the reader understanding that sentence as true or not true are about even!<\/p>\n
\nThere is no specific reason to doubt their claim, but previous experience . . .<\/em><\/p>\n