Did humans evolve from apes?
That’s a legitimate question and a legitimate use of the word evolve, which means to develop gradually.
Too often in business, however, companies use evolve to describe some sort of change, instead of just saying they’ve improved or updated whatever it is they’re changing.
Our stores offer curbside pickup, bringing even more convenience to your visit, read the email from a favorite retailer.
Is convenience something you bring? And how exactly would you bring it to a visit?
I had a similar thought when Facebook said they’re bringing more transparency to their political ads.... (Read More)
Anthony Fauci—God bless him—was talking the other day about the new, stronger variant making its way around the world and how to stem its spread. Get as many people vaccinated as soon as possible was his message.
“The less people that get infected, the less chance you’re going to give... (Read More)
I recently saw an email that talked about the eminent retirement of Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The writer should have said imminent instead.
Eminent, used mainly to describe people, means famous and respected, whereas imminent means something is about to happen.
I mused that the writer could have referred to the... (Read More)
A new year—at last!—is just two weeks away and with it lots of opportunities to wish one another well. Putting those wishes to paper, however, can be tricky. Is it Best wishes for a happy and healthy new year or Best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year? If you chose the... (Read More)
A well-known healthcare company recently hired a diversity and inclusion officer who announced in a press release that he was going to magnetize and incubate diverse talent to fuel innovation at the company.
Who actually says I’m going to magnetize talent?
Would a grown person really want to be incubated?
... (Read More)A while ago I wrote a post about not starting emails with I hope you are well.
In everyday business writing, I counseled, there’s generally no reason to open with a reference to your reader’s well-being, particularly if you don’t know the person to whom you’re writing.
But coronavirus has... (Read More)
I got an email from the restaurant down the street offering me elevated comfort food in this time of crisis. I know, they were trying to make me feel better: If I order from them, I’ll feel as though I’m dining out and not standing at the kitchen counter in... (Read More)
The velocity at which data is created means that traditional methods of analyzing it are not sufficient.
Eighty one percent of youth who use tobacco products initiate with a flavored product.
These two sentences crossed my desk recently and gave me pause. Both include multi-syllable words that could be... (Read More)
The holidays are upon us and with them lots of opportunities to wish people well. Putting those wishes to paper correctly, however, can be tricky. Is it, for example, Best wishes for a happy and healthy new year or Best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year?
Read these guidelines... (Read More)
