Proper Nouns Use Same Spelling Rules as Regular Nouns

During the holiday season, it never ceases to amaze me how many people don't know how to get the spelling of their names correct on the cards they send out.

Not The Jones's (possessive)

But The Joneses
Or The Jones Family

Of course, it doesn't help that Word and other grammar-check programs don't get this either.

Use the rules for making regular nouns plural when printing or signing your holiday cards and emails:

• Add an s to most words that don't end in an s.
• Remember the exceptions--we add es to most words that end in ch, o, s, sh, x, y (change to i), and z.
• There are exceptions to these basic rules, of course, but I'm not going into them here.
  

So, for those of you with names ending with ch, s, sh, x, and z, be aware that everyone will think you're spelling your name wrong when you're actually spelling it right. Easy way out:

The Branch Family--Branch is an adjective in this construction and doesn't need to be made plural.

Happy Holidays!

The Importance of Punctuation

Two versions of a "Dear John" letter:

Dear John:
I want a man who knows what love is all about. You are generous, kind, thoughtful. People who are not like you admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me for other men. I yearn for you. I have no feelings whatsoever when we're apart. I can be forever happy--will you let me be yours?
Jane




Dear John:
I want a man who knows what love is. All about you are generous, kind, thoughtful people who are not like you. Admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me. For other men, I yearn. For you, I have no feelings whatsoever. When we're apart, I can be forever happy--will you let me be?
Yours,
Jane

NOT Words

The more we hear words being used around us; the more likely it is that we will think they actually are words. Alas, this is not always true. Check for any of these "NOT words" in your vocabulary.

Conversate is NOT a word.
The verb is converse, so we converse with a colleague.
Conversation is the noun, so we have a conversation with a colleague.
We do not conversate with a colleague.

Irregardless is NOT a word.
Regardless means without regard. The prefix "ir" means not. So, use of "irregardless" creates a double negative. Not without regard actually means regarding.

Incent is NOT a word.
Incentive is a noun meaning something designed to incite to action. So we do not incent our sales force; we provide incentives to increase our sales force's productivity.

This next one has slithered its way into the language so insidiously that it can be found in many dictionaries. Just because it's in the dictionary doesn't mean it's correct.

Orientate is NOT a word.
Orient is the verb meaning to set in a definite position or acquaint with an existing situation.
In a forest, Ben uses a compass to orient himself.
Orientation is the noun.
We do not orientate new employees; we orient new employees, or new employees attend orientation to become acquainted with the company.

Remember that your language is part of your brand; how well are you representing your brand?

To Write or Not Too Right, That is the Question

Commonly confused words often plague even the best of writers. Following are some methods I've devised to help overcome the "which one is it?" syndrome for a few of the most confusing of these word devils.

Substitution method:

Affect (alter); Effect (result)

Try substituting the word Alter or Result in your sentence. If Alter works, use Affect. If Result works, use Effect.

Examples:
Global warming will (alter) affect the environment.
We are already feeling some (results) effects of global warming.

Who (he); Whom (him)

Examples:
Give the job to (whoever, whomever) is best qualified. He is best qualified; so, give the job to whoever is best qualified.
I don't know (who, whom) to send the invitation to. Send the invitation to him; so, I don't know whom to send the invitation to.

Linked Letters
Compliment means to give praise.
Complement means went well with.

Examples:
My boss compliments me when I finish a task early.
The red wine complemented the steak fondue.

Hope this helps. More later.