“It’s a free country.” Usually, when someone waves this flag it’s because some infraction has occurred and the flag waver knows it. Loosely translated, it might mean, “You might not like this- in fact, I know you don’t like this - but it isn’t illegal, and...
Some messages are tricky. Well, lots of messages are tricky- otherwise we in the communication business wouldn’t be… well, in business. But I digress. The Faux Fact is our topic for today. For example: - “When Alastair twisted his ankle in the hall, Helvita jumped up...
The office receptionist on the phone: “I know what document you want, but I don’t know what you expect me to….Oh, you want me to FAX it. You didn’t say that. You didn’t say to FAX it. You just said…” Apparently there was some push back...
Being a New Yorker, I’m proud to wear my cap, but I am mindful of the dangers of wearing clothes that say things. Clothes are a means of communication, as we know. As such, they all say things, even the ones without printed statements on them....
Marshall was a participant in a Language at Work Email Writing course several years ago. Recently I ran into him and he told me that he had just put to use something he had learned in that course. Of course we love to imagine that...
….and with her confusing sidekick, ‘can’. These words have different meanings and usages, altho the distinction has blurred in informal speech. However, in keeping with our mission of shining light on correctness where we can, we offer the rules, which are blessedly easy. May is used...