Some of you may have seen my A-Z of Business Writing Bloopers on my website. These are some of the common mistakes that many people make in their writing. If you are guilty, now’s the time to do something about it! You can find more in this series here: http://www.shirleytaylor.com/bloopers.html.

Back

Do you use expressions like return back or exchange back? If so, you don't need the word back – it's completely redundant!

Bathe/Bath

In England I often have a bath (in the bathtub) but in Singapore I mostly take a shower (standing up underneath a shower). I often hear people saying they are going to have a bath or they are going to bathe, when really they don't even have a bathtub. So how? In this case we should use the word shower.

Because, Although, Since, Unless, If, When

When you start a sentence with any of these words, remember to attach an independent clause to it so that it becomes a complete sentence. We cannot have a sentence like "Because it is raining." This is a simple clause but it is not complete until you attach an independent clause to it.

For example:

"Because it is raining, I must take my umbrella."

The same goes for the other words mentioned in the heading.

For example:

"Although it is late, I will still come over to see you."

(Note that we don't need the word but when we use although – use a comma instead!)

Between or to

Between must be followed by and. From must be followed by to.

For example:

There were between 200 and 300 people at the concert.
The seminar will be held from 0930 to 1730.

Bored/Boring

I often hear people use boring instead of bored. One workshop participant was blatantly honest with me when she said "My boss made me come here but I didn't want to come because I think I'm going to be very boring." Hmmm…. I think she meant she thought she was going to be very bored. She could only be bored if I was boring!

For example:

The lecture is boring so I am bored.

Bring and Fetch

Use bring when the other person is at a different point to you and you want them to get you something.

For example:

"Please bring me the book when you come over to my place later."

Use fetch when the other person is at the same point as you are.

For example: