Improving business writing Describing change (verb tense review) Common grammar problems hitlist.

1. Improving Business Writing
Writing Workshop Series: Grammar Skills
December 11, 2015 Rachael Walker

2. Overview
Part 2: Context
Describing change
Problems hit list

3. Describing change
Past trends

4. Describing change
Past trends
Present trends

5. Describing change
Past trends
Present trends
Key words

6. Describing change
Past trends
Present trends
Key words

7. Describing change
Past trends
Finished

8. Describing change
Past trends
Finished
Simple past

9. Describing change
Past trends
Finished
Simple past
Nike's market share increased by from April to May.

10. Describing change
Past trends
Context

11. Describing change
Past trends
Context
Past Continuous

12. Describing change
Past trends
Context
Past Continuous
Nike's stock was increasing when she bought the
shares.

13. Describing change
Past trends
Interruption

14. Describing change
Past trends
Interruption
Past perfect continuous

15. Describing change
Past trends
Interruption
Past perfect continuous
Nike's stock had been increasing when she bought the
shares.

16. Describing change
Past trends
Interruption
Past perfect continuous
Nike's stock had been increasing when she bought the
shares.
Nike's stock had increased when she bought the shares.

17. Describing change
Past trends
Using numbers

18. Describing change
Past trends
Using numbers
Past perfect

19. Describing change
Past trends
Using numbers
Past perfect
Nike's stock had increased by 5% when she bought the
shares.

20. Describing change
Past trends
Using numbers
Nike's stock had increased by 5% when she bought the
shares.
Nike's stock had been increasing by 5% each month.

21. Describing change
Past trends
Using numbers
Nike's stock had increased by 5% when she bought the
shares.
Nike's stock had been increasing by 5% each month.
Nike's stock was increasing by 5% each month.

22. Describing change
Past trends
Using numbers
Nike's stock had increased by 5% when she bought the
shares.
Nike's stock had been increasing by 5% each month.
(Context + Interruption)
Nike's stock was increasing by 5% each month.

23. Describing change
Past trends
Using numbers
Nike's stock had increased by 5% when she bought the
shares.
Nike's stock had been increasing by 5% each month.
(Context + Interruption)
Nike's stock was increasing by 5% each month.
(Context)

24. Describing change
Past trends
Present trends
Key words

25. Graphics
Present Trends

26. Graphics
Present Trends
Ongoing change

27. Graphics
Present Trends
Ongoing change
Present continuous

28. Graphics
Present Trends
Ongoing change
Present continuous
Nike's market share is increasing.

29. Graphics
Present Trends
Ongoing change
Present continuous
Nike's market share is increasing.
Nike's market share increased.

30. Graphics
Present Trends
Ongoing change
Present perfect

31. Graphics
Present Trends
Ongoing change
Present perfect
Nike's market share is increasing.

32. Graphics
Present Trends
Ongoing change
Present perfect
Nike's market share is increasing.
Nike's market share has increased.

33. Graphics
Present Trends
Ongoing change
Present perfect
Nike's market share is increasing.
Nike's market share has increased.
Nike's market share has been increasing.

34. Describing change
Present trends
Using numbers

35. Describing change
Present trends
Using numbers
Present perfect

36. Describing change
Present trends
Using numbers
Present perfect
Nike's market share has increased by 5%.

37. Describing change
Present trends
Using numbers
Present perfect
Nike's market share has increased by 5%.
Nike's market share is increasing by 5% each month;

38. Describing change
Past trends
Present trends
Key words

39. Describing change
Key words

40. Describing change
Key words
How long

41. Describing change
Key words
How long
Time until now

42. Describing change
Key words
How long
During
From
Until
For
Time until now

43. Describing change
How long?
During

44. Describing change
How long?
During (+ noun)

45. Describing change
How long?
During (+ noun)
During the first few years we broke even.

46. Describing change
How long?
During (+ noun)
During the first few years we broke even.
During the first few years we were breaking even.

47. Describing change
How long?
From

48. Describing change
How long?
From
From 1991 – 1999 the economy improved.

49. Describing change
How long?
From
From 1991 – 1999 the economy improved.
From 1991 – 1999 the .com bubble was inflating.

50. Describing change
How long?
Until

51. Describing change
How long?
Until
The economy seemed healthy until the bubble burst.

52. Describing change
How long?
Until
The economy seemed healthy until the bubble burst.
The economy was growing until the bubble burst.

53. Describing change
How long?
Until
The economy seemed healthy until the bubble burst.
The economy was growing until the bubble burst.
The economy had been growing until the bubble burst.

54. Describing change
How long?
For

55. Describing change
How long?
For
Length of time

56. Describing change
How long?
For
Length of time Length of time

57. Describing change
How long?
For
Length of time Length of time Length of time

58. Describing change
How long?
For
Length of time Length of time Length of time
Now

59. Describing change
How long?
For
Length of time Length of time Length of time
Now Now

60. Describing change
How long?
For
Length of time Length of time Length of time
Now Now Now

61. Describing change
How long?
We will target the new demographic for 6 months.
.

62. Describing change
How long?
We will target the new demographic for 6 months.
We targeted the new demographic for 6 months.

63. Describing change
How long?
We will target the new demographic for 6 months.
We targeted the new demographic for 6 months.
We have targeted the new demographic for 6 months.

64. Describing change
How long?
We will target the new demographic for 6 months.
We targeted the new demographic for 6 months.
We have targeted the new demographic for 6 months.
We have been targeting the new demographic for 6 months.

65. Describing change
Key words
How long
Time until now

66. Describing change
Key words
How long
Time until now
Since

67. Describing change
Key words
How long
Time until now
Since
Over

68. Describing change
Time until now
Since

69. Describing change
Time until now
Since
The new system has been in operation since 2010.

70. Describing change
Time until now
Since
The new system has been in operation since 2010.
They have been learning to operate the machinery
since April.

71. Describing change
Time until now
Over

72. Describing change
Time until now
Over
Over the last five years, business has grown.

73. Describing change
Time until now
Over
Over the last five years, business has grown.
Over the last five years, business has been growing.

74. Describing change
Time until now
Over
Over the last five years, business has grown.
Over the last five years, business has been growing.
Over those years, business grew.

75. Overview
Part 2: Context
Describing change
Problems hit list

76. Problems Hit List
Pronoun errors
Sentence structure
Agreement
Comma splice
Time adjectives
Make / do
Which / that
Lay / lie
Fewer / less
Amount / number
Then / than
Who / whom
Affect / effect
Continual / continuous
Nor
Whether / if
Different from / different than
Farther / further
Bring / take
Borrow / lend
Impactful
Lose / loose

77. Problems Hit List
Pronoun errors
Sentence structure
Agreement
Comma splice
Time adjectives
Make / do
Which / that
Lay / lie
Fewer / less
Amount / number
Then / than
Who / whom
Affect / effect
Continual / continuous
Nor
Whether / if
Different from / different than
Farther / further
Bring / take
Borrow / lend
Impactful
Lose / loose

78. Problem Hit list
Pronoun errors

79. Problem Hit list
Pronoun errors
Subject pronouns

80. Problem Hit list
Pronoun errors
Subject pronouns
Him and me received the email.

81. Problem Hit list
Pronoun errors
Subject pronouns
Him and me received the email.
He and I

82. Problem Hit list
Pronoun errors
Predicate pronouns

83. Problem Hit list
Pronoun errors
Predicate pronouns
He sent the email to me.

84. Problem Hit list
Pronoun errors
Predicate pronouns
He sent the email to me.
He sent the email to James and I.

85. Problem Hit list
Pronoun errors
Predicate pronouns
He sent the email to me.
He sent the email to James and I.
me

86. Problem Hit list
Pronoun errors
Reflexive pronouns

87. Problem Hit list
Pronoun errors
Reflexive pronouns
I sent a copy to myself.

88. Problem Hit list
Pronoun errors
Reflexive pronouns
I sent a copy to myself.
You should send a copy to myself.

89. Problem Hit list
Pronoun errors
Reflexive pronouns
I sent a copy to myself.
You should send a copy to myself.
me

90. Problem Hit list
Sentence structure errors

91. Problem Hit list
Sentence structure errors
Misplaced modifiers

92. Problem Hit list
Sentence structure errors
Misplaced modifiers
While performing the audit, unlabeled 55-gallon drums
were found at the site.

93. Problem Hit list
Sentence structure errors
Misplaced modifiers
While performing the audit, unlabeled 55-gallon drums
were found at the site.
we found

94. Problem Hit list
Sentence structure errors
Misplaced modifiers

95. Problem Hit list
Sentence structure errors
Misplaced modifiers
Employes only conducted reviews if discrepancies were
found.

96. Problem Hit list
Sentence structure errors
Misplaced modifiers
Employes only conducted reviews if discrepancies were
found.
only

97. Problem Hit list
Sentence structure errors
Parallelism

98. Problem Hit list
Sentence structure errors
Parallelism
Changes were made to improve communications, assign
accountability, and adverse-event reporting.

99. Problem Hit list
Sentence structure errors
Parallelism
Changes were made to improve communications, assign
accountability, and adverse-event reporting.
ensure

100. Problem Hit list
Agreement

101. Problem Hit list
Agreement
Subject – verb agreement

102. Problem Hit list
Agreement
Subject – verb agreement
Analysis conducted on the outcomes of the audits
completed during the first and second quarters have
shown an increase in compliance issues.

103. Problem Hit list
Agreement
Subject – verb agreement
Analysis conducted on the outcomes of the audits
completed during the first and second quarters have
shown an increase in compliance issues.

104. Problem Hit list
Agreement
Subject – verb agreement
Analysis conducted on the outcomes of the audits
completed during the first and second quarters have
shown an increase in compliance issues.

105. Problem Hit list
Agreement
Subject – verb agreement
Analysis conducted on the outcomes of the audits
completed during the first and second quarters have
shown an increase in compliance issues. has

106. Problem Hit list
Agreement
Subject – verb agreement
Analysis conducted on the outcomes of the audits
completed during the first and second quarters have
shown an increase in compliance issues.
Analysis was conducted on the outcomes of the audits
completed during the first and second quarters. The
analysis has shown and increase in compliance issues.
has

107. Problem Hit list
Agreement
Subject – verb agreement

108. Problem Hit list
Agreement
Subject – verb agreement
The staff meet on Tuesdays.

109. Problem Hit list
Agreement
Subject – verb agreement
The staff meet on Tuesdays.
meets

110. Problem Hit list
Agreement
Subject – verb agreement
The staff meet on Tuesdays.
The staff holds differing positions on the issue.
meets

111. Problem Hit list
Agreement
Subject – verb agreement
The staff meet on Tuesdays.
The staff holds differing positions on the issue.
meets
hold

112. Problem Hit list
Agreement
Subject – verb agreement

113. Problem Hit list
Agreement
Subject – verb agreement
Either the procedures or the report were altered.

114. Problem Hit list
Agreement
Subject – verb agreement
Either the procedures or the report were altered.

115. Problem Hit list
Agreement
Subject – verb agreement
Either the procedures or the report were altered.
was

116. Problem Hit list
Agreement
Pronoun agreement

117. Problem Hit list
Agreement
Pronoun agreement
A total of 12 employees had not updated his passwords.

118. Problem Hit list
Agreement
Pronoun agreement
A total of 12 employees had not updated his passwords.
their

119. Problem Hit list
Comma splice

120. Problem Hit list
Comma splice
Subject verb, subject verb.

121. Problem Hit list
Comma splice
Subject verb, subject verb.
Procedures were updated, however, staff was not trained.

122. Problem Hit list
Comma splice
Subject verb, subject verb.
Procedures were updated, however, staff was not trained.
Procedures were updated. However, staff was not trained.

123. Problem Hit list
Comma splice
Subject verb, subject verb.
Procedures were updated, however, staff was not trained.
Procedures were updated. However, staff was not trained.
Procedures were updated; however, staff was not trained.

124. Problem Hit list
Comma splice
Subject verb, subject verb.
Procedures were updated, however, staff was not trained.
Procedures were updated. However, staff was not trained.
Procedures were updated; however, staff was not trained.
Procedures were updated, but staff was not trained.

125. Problem Hit list
Time adjectives
The walk took five minutes.

126. Problem Hit list
Time adjectives
The walk took five minutes.
It was a five-minutes walk.

127. Problem Hit list
Time adjectives
The walk took five minutes.
It was a five-minutes walk.

128. Problem Hit list
Time adjectives
The walk took five minutes.
It was a five-minutes walk.
noun

129. Problem Hit list
Time adjectives
The walk took five minutes.
It was a five-minutes walk.
noun
adjective

130. Problem Hit list
Make / do

131. Problem Hit list
Make / do
Make = create something new

132. Problem Hit list
Make / do
Make = create something new
I will make a photocopy.

133. Problem Hit list
Make / do
Make = create something new
I will make a photocopy.
I made a video.

134. Problem Hit list
Make / do
Make = create something new
I will make a photocopy.
I made a video.
Do = labor

135. Problem Hit list
Make / do
Make = create something new
I will make a photocopy.
I made a video.
Do = labor
I must do these exercises.

136. Problem Hit list
Make / do
Make = create something new
I will make a photocopy.
I made a video.
Do = labor
I must do these exercises.
I hate doing dishes.

137. Problem Hit list
Make / do
Exceptions!
I made a mistake.
I make my bed every morning.
The children made a lot of noise.

138. Problems Hit List
Pronoun errors
Sentence structure
Agreement
Comma splice
Time adjectives
Make / do
Which / that
Lay / lie
Fewer / less
Amount / number
Then / than
Who / whom
Affect / effect
Continual / continuous
Nor
Whether / if
Different from / different than
Farther / further
Bring / take
Borrow / lend
Impactful
Lose / loose

139. Problem Hit list
That
Restricts –
I don't trust fruits that aren't organic.
Which
Qualifies –
I recommend organic fruits, which are available in most
grocery stores.

140. Problem Hit list
That
Restricts –
The house that is burning is mine.
Which
Qualifies –
The house which is burning is mine.

141. Problem Hit list
Lay
Direct object
Lay the pencil down.
Lie
No direct object
I'm going to lie down.

142. Problem Hit list
Fewer
Countable
The firm has fewer employees.
Less
Uncountable
I have less work to do today.

143. Problem Hit list
Number
Countable
The number of employees is growing.
Amount
Uncountable
The amount of work is unbearable.

144. Problem Hit list
Than
Comparative
The price is higher than is was last year.
Then
Time
They will change the system, then they will fix unforeseen
problems.

145. Problem Hit list
Who
Subject pronoun (he)
Who is coming? (He is coming.)
Whom
Predicate pronoun (him)
Whom should I invite? (I should invite him.)
To whom should this be addressed?

146. Problem Hit list
Affect
Verb
The situation affected earnings.
Effect
Noun
The situation had an effect on earnings.

147. Problem Hit list
Continual
Always (repeatedly)
They are continually monitoring safety.
Continuous
No stops
The continuous noise has caused employee complaints.

148. Problem Hit list
Nor
And not
Neither the manager nor the employees
have the password.
The factory does not have a cafeteria or vending machines.
The factory has has neither a cafeteria nor vending machines.

149. Problem Hit list
Whether
Alternatives
It is unclear whether the manager will be
let go.
If
No alternatives
If the manager is let go, they will have to replace him
quickly.

150. Problem Hit list
Different from
Preposition (noun)
The new manager is different from the last.
Different than
Clause (clause indicator)
The college is different than when I was in school.

151. Problem Hit list
Farther
Measurable distance
The new site is farther from HQ.
Further
Abstract distance
The policy was terminated before further damage could be
caused.

152. Problem Hit list
e.g.
“For example”
HR has several serious problems, e.g. the ability to
efficiently replace managers.
i.e.
“In other words”
He objects to the changes, i.e. he will not accept them.

153. Problem Hit list
Bring
“Have and come” (towards the speaker)
Come to the party, and bring your guitar.
Take
“Have and go” (away from the speaker)
Go to work, and don't forget to take your lunch with you.

154. Problem Hit list
Borrow
“Take and give back”
Can I borrow your book? I'll give it back tomorrow.
Lend
“Give and get back”
I will happily lend you my book. You can bring it back
when you're finished.

155. Problem Hit list
Impactful
Impactful is not a word!!!
The report made quite an impact.

156. Problem Hit list
Lose
“To be unable to find”
I always lose my umbrella.
Loose
“The opposite of tight”
My pants are too loose.