Learning & Development

Writing Tips
second edition
A collection of tips from English Business Writing courses
 For internal use only

Writing Tips
second edition
A collection of tips from English Business Writing courses

Learning & Development

PricewaterhouseCoopers
2

Preface to the Second Edition

The real benefit of a business writing course comes after the

training has been completed. Participants apply what they have
learnt once they start real work. This writing tips booklet is
designed to make the learning process much easier and quicker,
and to help participants retain the knowledge gained from the
training courses.

Background

English Business Writing 1, 2, and 3 are courses designed to

conform to the firms requirements for improving staffs writing
skill. During these courses, many participants have asked good,
relevant questions. The answers and explanations were written
on the flipcharts. These explanations, including grammar notes,
tips on language usage, common Thai errors, etc. are useful,
and we thought that they would be even more useful if compiled
in a handy, accessible format. For that reason, we have
transformed them into a booklet which we hope will be valuable
for all of you to keep as your small handy writing tips reference.

This second edition represents an extensive revision of the

parts in the first edition. Part 1 includes a new unit on
Prepositions which is one of the most difficult areas in English
grammar. This part was written by Bernie Gilman during his
English consultancy work at PwC Bangkok (August December
2007). Apart from that, there is a substantial enlargement in
Part 2 which consists of words, phrases and writing tips from
PwC English editors and partners.
 3

How to use the booklet

You can make your way through the whole booklet, or

alternatively just look for key words from the index at the back
which includes all major words from the 2 main parts: Tips from
EBW 1-2-3 and List of common errors. The last part of this
booklet allows you to Test Your Basic Writing Skills. This
test is quite fun to do and you can even share it with your
colleagues!

Limitations & Where to get help

There is a lot to gain from this booklet, but it does have

limitations. The main one is that it cannot tell you whether your
writing is acceptable. If you need further help, follow the
suggestions below.

Ask a colleague who you know writes well to read your work
and give you feedback.
You may be able to attend a training course. These are
usually run firm-wide or for specific business units that wish
to improve their performance in this area. Speak to your
coach or contact L&D
Contact the English editors in L&D or editors in your office
if you have any questions about English writing or would
like to discuss a particular issue.

L&D
Bangkok, Thailand
April 2008
4

Writing Tips Team

Editor-in-chief
Lakana Pintong, L&D

Contributors/Editors
Bernie Gilman, BitS (Thailand): Prepositions
Moray Clark, BitS (Thailand): Tips from EBW1-2-3

Lists of common errors

Dominic Ireland, English editor
Sarah Francis, English editor

Layout
Marketing & Communications Department

Special thanks to
Anothai Leekitwattana and Kittima Bunnag for their great
support in the first edition.

First edition published January 2007

Any queries? Contact Lakana Pintong (ext. 4644)

 5

Table of contents
Preface......................................................................................2

Part 1.........................................................................................6
Tips from EBW 1-2-3.........................................................6
Prepositions........................................................................29
Articles................................................................................85

Part 2.......................................................................................96
List of common errors.......................................................96
Singular vs Plural...............................................................99
British vs American spelling.............................................101
Casual vs Formal..............................................................102
Replacement for phrase....................................................103
Sounds the same..............................................................107
Hyphens.............................................................................108
Time frames.......................................................................108
Appropriateness.................................................................109
Phrases..............................................................................110
Assorted tips......................................................................111

Part 3.....................................................................................114
Test Your Basic Writing Skills...........................................114

Index.....................................................................................123
6

Rules and techniques for business writing

1. Communicate the message
2. Set the right tone
3. Use simple words
4. Use the YOU approach
5. Use short words
6. Use a clear sentence structure
7. Use clear punctuation
8. Use a clear paragraph structure

The structure of a memo

Subject
Dear
Brief introduction
Assignment
Results (not more than 5)
- Brief outline of current situation
- Problem
- Solution / recommendations
Offer of further information
Invitation to meet
Polite close
Yours.

The structure of a letter

Dear
Reason
Main message
Polite closing
Yours truly
 7

Requesting information and action

The list below shows structures used to introduce a request on
a scale from direct to indirect (very polite). It also shows which
phrases can be used to introduce a request for action and
a request for information.

Action Information
Please + order direct Please tell me
I want you to Do you know
Can you Can you tell me
Will you Will you tell me
Could you Could you tell me., please
Id like you to Id like to ask you
Id like to ask you Id like to know
Do you happen to know
Perhaps you could Perhaps you could tell me
Could you possibly Could you possibly tell me
Do you think you Do you think you could
could tell me
Would you mind + Would you mind telling me
v.ing
I wonder if you I wonder if you could tell me...
could Do you think I could ask you...
I wonder if youd I wonder if youd mind
mind + v.ing my asking you
I was wondering if I was wondering if you
you could... could tell me
I was wondering if youd
indirect mind telling me
8

According to
We use according to when we want to say that our information
comes from some other person, book, etc. It means something
like if what X says is true.

According to Thai law, you must pay income tax.

(Thai law says)

According to Somsak, the new secretary is really nice.

(Somsak says)

According to next weeks training, I have prepared

a presentation.

According to the opinion of ........

Referring to next weeks training, I have prepared

a presentation.

According to is not generally used with words like view or

opinion.
 9

Amount
A. Uses
amount / amounting + to

1. To add up in number or quantity: The purchases amounted

to 50 dollars.
2. To add up in importance or effect: That plan will never
amount to anything.
3. To be equal to: accusations that amount to
an indictment.

(in the amount of + noun) = the total amount of something

B. Sample sentences

is / costs
A new laptop amounts to 30,000.- bht.
is
His salary amounts to 50,000.- bht/month
noun verb
The companys fixed assets amount to THB 20M.
noun verb
Last year, total sales amounted to THB 3M.
sentence preposition phrase
The company has fixed assets amounting to THB 20M.
sentence preposition phrase
Last year, they registered total sales amounting to THB 3M.

The company owns assets in the amount of THB 15M.

10

Appreciate
Appreciate (v.) = like (v.)

Sample sentences

I would like it .
I would appreciate it if you could
It would be appreciated
I would be appreciated it if you could call me as soon as
possible.

Attach
When writing about email attachments, you should follow the
structures below:

I attach the files as follows:

I attach the following files:
I have attached + noun
Please find the attached + noun

I attached
Attached herewith.
I have enclosed
 11

Company names
The names of companies and other organisations are
usually regarded as singular, regardless of their ending:
General Motors has announced its fall lineup of new
vehicles.

Try to avoid the inconsistency that is almost inevitable when

you think of corporate entities as a group of individuals:
General Motors has announced their fall lineup of new
vehicles.

But note that some inconsistency is acceptable in all but the

most formal writing:
Ford has announced its breakup with Firestone Tires.Their
cars will no longer use tires built by Firestone.

Some writers will use a plural verb when a plural construction

such as Associates is part of the companys title or when the
title consists of a series of names:
Upton, Vernon, and Gridley are moving to new law offices
next week or
Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego & Associates have won all
their cases this year.

Singular verbs and pronouns would be correct in those

sentences, also.

Note that the number is a singular collective noun:

The number of applicants is steadily increasing.
A number, on the other hand, is a quantity expression.
Its meaning is similar to some.
There are several students in the lobby. A number are
here to see the president.
12

Competition
Word families
Compete (v.)
Competitor (n.)
Competitive (adj.)

He won a flat screen TV in a UBC competition. = a game

are competitors = market comp.
There is a lot of competition in the consumer banking
industry.
(adj.)
The consumer banking industry is highly competitive.
(companies)
VISA and Master card are competitors.
VISA is a competitor of Master card.

Concern
1. Concern (v.) = be related to/involve
IT concerns computers
CS concerns satisfaction.
CS is concerned with satisfaction.
IT is concerned with computers

2. Concern (v.) = worry/scare

Pollution concerns me
I am concerned about pollution.
I am worried about pollution

* IT = Information Technology
CS = Customer Service
 13

Describing trends
Trends are changes or movements. These changes are
normally in numerical items, e.g. cost, production volumes, or
unemployment. There are three basic trends. Now lets look at
the language of trends in more detail.

Verbs
Nouns
Transitive Intransitive
increase increase increase
raise rise rise
put/push/ go/be up
step up grow growth
extend extension
extend expand expansion
expand boom boom
(dramatic rise)

Verbs
Nouns
Transitive Intransitive
decrease decrease decrease
fall fall
drop drop drop
put/push go/be down
down decline decline
cut cut
reduce reduction
collapse collapse
(dramatic fall)
slump slump
(dramatic fall)
14

Verbs
Nouns
Transitive Intransitive
keep/holdstable/ remain stable stability
constant

Maintain(at the stay constant

same level)

Sometimes we need to give more information about a trend,

as follows:

There has been a slight increase in the value of the dollar.

(the degree of change)

Share prices fell rapidly on the London Stock Exchange

today. (the speed of change)

Remember that we modify a noun with an adjective (a slight

increase); and a verb with an adverb (to increase slightly).
 15

Describing the degree of change

dramatically vast(ly)
huge(ly)
enormous(ly)
substantial(ly)
considerable/considerably
significant(ly)

moderate(ly)

slight(ly)
a little

Describing the speed of change

rapid(ly)
quick(ly)
swift(ly)

gradual(ly)

slow(ly)
16

Experience
Experience (uncount. noun) = knowledge from work
Our professionals have extensive experience.

Experience (count. noun) = event

Swimming with dolphins is a great experience.
She had a lot of frightening experiences while travelling
through Iraq.

Final comments phrases

A. Uses

At the final comments part of your emails or letters, you may

use the basics phrases below.

Remember to put s if the noun that follows any is countable.

Any suggestions, problems, questions, ideas.

B. Sample sentences

Just give me a call if you have any questions.

Do not hesitate to contact me if you require any further
information.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
 17

F-A-N-B-O-Y-S
FANBOYS is a handy mnemonic device for remembering the
coordinating conjunctions:

For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So

You should always have a comma before FANBOYS that join

two complete thoughts (with two subjects and two verbs).

YS
O
B

complete thought complete thought

N
FA

You wore a lovely hat, but you didnt wear anything else.
My hamster loved to play, so I gave him a hula-hoop

If you do not have two subjects and two verbs separated by

the FANBOYS, you do not need to insert the comma before
the FANBOYS. In other words, if the second grouping of words
isnt a complete thought, dont use a comma:
YS
O
B

complete thought not a complete thought

N
FA

You wore a lovely hat but didnt wear anything else.

My hamster loved to play and often ate marshmallows.
18

Follow
Follow is used to introduce a specified enumeration,
explanation, or command. It means as will be stated next.

The list (singular)of names follows:

The key stages (plural) follow:

Our fees follow:

A summary of our fees follows:

Following

I attach the following (adj) documents:

I attach the following: (adj)

We have found the following:

We have made the following findings:

As follows
are as follows
as follow
as following
as followings
the followings

I have three questions, as follows: (Adv)

I have outlined the requests, as follows:
 19

Grateful
A. Uses

Grateful (adj.) = happy (adj.), thankful (adj.)

We use grateful to express our warm or deep

appreciation for kindness or benefits received:
I am grateful to you for your help.

B. Sample sentences
I would be grateful if you could.
happy.

Manufacture
The companys core business is manufacturing.
The company is engaged in manufacturing.
The company is a manufacturer.

Company Business/activity
Manufacturer Manufacturing
Distributor Distribution
Retailer Retail
Vendor Sales
20

Person
A. Uses

The usual plural of person is people.

Only one person turned up.
A lot of people replied to our advert.

People meaning more than one person is already plural and

cannot form a plural with s. It always takes a plural verb:
Most people are basically honest.
People are dying of starvation every day. ( People is
dying)

People meaning race or nation is countable and you can add

s in the normal way:
the peoples of South East Asia.

Persons is very formal and used, for example, in official

language, such as in legal documents:
He was murdered by a person or persons unknown.

You may also see it on official notices:

This elevator may only carry eight persons.

Prepositions

present
recommend something to someone
suggest
I will
explain
share something with someone
confirm
 21

Refer
A. Uses
Refer to something: If you refer to the appendix at the end of
the contract, you will find all the numbers of the components.

B. Sample sentences
Referring to your letter of 31 May 2006, I..
With reference to,
I refer to your letter of 31 May 2006.

Regard, Refer

Regarding
Referring to
the products price
With reference to
With regard to

Semi-colons
1. sentence; sentence clear logical link
Consumers spent a lot last month; therefore, the economy
expanded.

2. Lists within lists

There are a number of key markets: Colon introduce a list
Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia; Dubai, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia;
and Germany, France, and Holland.

They won the battle; however, they lost the war.

22

Singular - Plural
In English, for countable nouns, plurals are default.

1 child staff person

2 children staffs people

Single Plural

0
0.5
1
1.1
2
100

There are 0 people.

There are 0.9 people.

This harvest produces 0.75 kilograms of dried alfalfa.

Freezing point of water is 0 degrees Celsius.Boiling point of
water is 100 degrees Celsius.

Remember: Use a singular noun ONLY if you are sure you

are talking about ONE. More than one, less than one, or
an unknown number are all plural.
 23

Time: from, between, during

A. Uses

From is normally used with to or till/until:

Most people work from nine to five.

between and can also be used with the same meaning.

During is used with known periods of time, i.e.

during the Middle Ages
during his childhood
during my holidays

B. Sample sentences

I use an from to
umbrella May October.
between and
during the rainy season.
24

that.should
A: Uses
that.should is more formal than a gerund or infinitive
construction and usually implies less direct contact between the
advisers/organizers etc. and the people who are to carry out
the action.

Verbs which can be used with that.should include the

following:
Insist, order, propose, ask, beg, command, decide,
demand, determine, insist, order, propose, recommend,
request, stipulate, suggest, urge.

B: Sample sentences
She advised that we should keep the gate locked.
She advised that the gate should be kept locked.
She advised keeping the gate locked/advised us to keep it
locked.

Recommend could be used above instead of advise and

would sound more formal
I suggest something to someone
recommend the banyan tree restaurant.(to you)
eating at the Banyan Tree
v-ing
that you eat at the Banyan Tree
visit Phuket.
outsource these services
that + someone + v1
I will recommend you to my boss.
 25

Verb: Intransitive Transitive Ergative

Intransitive is a verb that has a subject but does not have an

object. (eg. arrive, go up, go down, fall) This verb can be used in
Active form only.
Active:The letter arrived.
Active:Retail sales fell for a second consecutive month in
October.

Transitive is a verb that requires both a subject and one or more

objects. (eg. punish, reduce, raise, lay) This verb can be used both
in Active and Passive forms.
Active:The messenger delivered the letter.
Passive:The letter was delivered by the messenger.

Ergative is a verb that can be either transitive or intransitive,

and whose subject when intransitive corresponds to its direct
object when transitive. (eg. increase, decrease, drop, rise, reverse,
expand, change, train, grow)
Active:The government increased business tax.
Passive: Business tax was incresed by the government.
Ergative:Business tax increased.
26

Upcountry, Overseas, Abroad

adv.
I went upcountry.
adj.
We have upcountry offices.

adv.
I went overseas.
adj
We have overseas offices.

adv.
I went abroad.
adj.
We have abroad offices.
We have foreign offices.
 27

Wage

His wages are about 10,000.

His wage is 55/ hour.

USAGE NOTE

Word choice: wage, salary, pay, fee, remuneration,

emolument, honorarium,
CORE MEANING: money given for work done

wage a sum of money paid to a worker in exchange for

services, especially for work performed on an hourly, daily, or
weekly basis, or by the piece;
hired at a low wage
The club pays my wages weekly.

salary a fixed annual sum, paid at regular intervals, usually

monthly, to an employee, especially for professional or clerical
work;
teachers salaries
The successful candidate was to be paid an annual salary
approaching $1 million.

pay money that is given in return for work or services provided,

especially in the form of a salary or wages;
a month-long strike for better pay and conditions
Equal pay for equal work was the battle cry of the feminist
movement.
28

fee a payment for professional services;

Such lawyers charged high fees and served only the elite.
The experts fees are to be borne equally by the parties
concerned.

remuneration a payment or reward for goods or services or for

losses sustained or inconvenience caused;
a review body to advise on the proper remuneration for
teachers
a need to investigate the levels of remuneration paid to
daycare workers

emolument (formal) a payment for work done;

Unfortunately, his fame was accompanied by only a small
emolument.

honorarium an amount of money paid to somebody, especially

a professional or famous person, for providing a service such
as addressing a conference;
Group members receive a small honorarium on
the principle that their time is valued.

Plan write Check

 29

Prepositions
Introduction

What Are Prepositions?

1. It is important to recognise that prepositions are more

challenging for the non-native speaker or learner of
English than any other part of speech.
Why is this?

2. After all, prepositions are only little words that never

change form unlike other words. They are pronounced
softly, in unstressed syllables. They are not even given
capital letters on book titles!

3. Native speakers choose the correct one without even

thinking, so how is it that they can be so confusing?

4. The word preposition has a straight-forward definition:

A word placed before a noun or pronoun to define
its relationshipwith another word in the sentence.

5. Any particular preposition is nearly impossible to define

without using other prepositions for example:

In the sentence, The report is on the table, what does

on mean?

On means above and supported by.

30

6. Many prepositions can indicate more than one meaning

or relationship. For example, the use of the word after:

a) later than We rested after lunch.

b) in pursuit of The boss is after Khun Somsak.
c) because of He was angry after the way
she acted.
d) in the style of This is a painting after Picasso.
e) continuously She worked night after night on
the final report.

7. Two or more prepositions can have the same meaning.

1) Sometimes these prepositions are
interchangeable.
- She is disappointed in her new job.
- She is disappointed with her new job.
2) Sometimes they are not interchangeable.
- He is fascinated with his new job.
(but not in)
- He is interested in his new job
(but not with)
- He is bored by his new job
(by or with, but not in)
8. Many prepositions are also used in expressions where
their meaning is entirely different from any of their
usual or predictable meanings. Expressions like this do
not follow any rule or logic they must be learned as
vocabulary units.
 31

Examples: Its about time.

They are never on time.
She got here in time to attend
the meeting.

9. A preposition in combination with another word may

have multiple meanings for example:
make up your bed - arrange
make up your face - paint
make up your mind - decide
make up a story - invent
make up a list - write down
make up the difference - equalise
make up last weeks work - do overdue work
make up for lost time - compensate
make up with your - re-establish a relationship
colleague

10. Different prepositions can follow the same verb to

change its meaning completely these are phrasal
verbs for example:
break down - collapse
break in - enter by force
break off - to end or snap
break out - escape
break out of - leave by force
break through - establish a successful idea
break up - end a relationship
32

11. New preposition combinations continue to become part

of the language for example:
boot up - re-start a computer
key in - type text on the computer
log on - connect to the internet

Conclusion

So, if you find prepositions a little tricky to learn, please

understand it is not you that are slow to pick them up, but that
they are such slippery words. The next few topics will focus on
the uses of some of the many prepositions.

Some common, frequently used prepositions

About After Against

Around As At
Before Beside Besides
Between But By
Despite/in spite of Down During
Except For From
In Instead of Into
Like Near Of
Off On Onto
Opposite Out Outside
Over Past Through
Throughout To Toward
Under Until Up
With Within Without

about 33

Prepostion: About

Main Uses

1. To identify a topic:
a) Example - This is a report about your
financial performance.
Structure - noun + be + about + noun

Nouns commonly used before about:

argument article book conversation

meeting discussion lecture news

programme speech/ complaint statement

presentation question
comment

b) Example - We gave you advice about your loan.

Structure - noun + about + noun
c) Example - He often talks about his job.
Structure - verb + about + noun

Verbs commonly used before about:

agree argue complain know

read talk think worry

34 about

d) Example - We know something about

operations like yours.
Structure - verb + noun + about

Verbs commonly used with this structure:
ask find out know learn

Typical nouns used before about:
a/very little a lot something nothing

e) Example - We asked you about your past

performance.
Structure - verb + indirect object + about + noun

Verbs commonly used with this structure:

advise ask contact question

remind write

2. To identify the cause of a condition or emotion:

Example - We are excited about our project with you.

Structure - adjective + about + noun

Adjectives commonly used before about:

anxious concerned confused happy

optimistic right think worry

about 35

3. When used as an adverb, about can mean

approximately:

Example - We expect the audit to take about two days.

The meeting will start at about 9am.
Structure - about + number

4. When used as and adverb, about can mean almost:

Example - The meeting lasted about two hours.

The report took about three days to
complete.
Structure - verb + about + adjective

Adjectives commonly used after about:

complete done finished ready

right think worry

Conclusion

About does have other uses which are less relevant to

business writing and it is used in phrasal verbs such as:

i. To bring about = to cause

ii. To come about = to happen
iii. To get about = to be able to move around or walk
iv. To find out about = to discover/to get information or
news about something
36 about

It is also used in expressions such as:

i. Its about time you gave me that final report.

= an expression of annoyance that a person or thing has
arrived late
ii. We are not about to sign the contract on those terms.
= not willing to
after 37

Preposition: After

Main Uses

1. After means Later Than or Following:

a) Example - The reception will be after the

product launch .
Structure - be + after + noun

b) Example - After finishing the report, we can

prepare the business proposal.
Structure - after + gerund form of verb + noun

2. After can mean Because Of:

Example - The client was satisfied after our

assurance regarding the fee.
Structure - adjective + after + noun

Typical nouns used after After:

attitude behaviour failure reaction

success think worry

3. After can mean In Spite Of:

Example - After reading the report three times, I still
do not understand it.
Structure - after + verb in gerund form
38 after

4. After can indicate continuously:

Example - Year after year, Night after night,

Structure - time period + after + same time period

Nouns often used with this meaning:

day hour month night

time week year

Conclusion

About does have other uses which are less relevant to

business writing and it is used in phrasal verbs such as:

i. To look after = to take care of something or

somebody
ii. To take after = to be similar to an older relative
or person
iii. To name after = to give a baby the name of
someone special or famous

It is also used in expressions such as:

i. After all Despite all the interruptions, he managed to

finish the report after all.
Meaning = in spite of what happened; nevertheless
ii. After all - Of course the report contained some errors;
after all, we had been working on it for ten hours.
Meaning = as a justification
iii. After all is said and done I know you feel bad now, but
you will feel better about this after all is said and done.
Meaning = eventually, or in time
by 39

Prepostion: By
Main uses

1. By indicates an actor, instrument or cause

Pattern: be + past participle + by + noun

Examples: The work was done by the assistant
auditor.
The corrections were made by (a)
pencil.
The loss was caused by the large fall
in turnover.

2. By indicates a method or a way

Pattern: verb + (noun) + by + noun

Examples: He made a lot of money by working
overtime.
The report was sent by courier.
They went to Pattaya by freeway.

3. By can mean according to a form, period of time,

packaging, weight, number or amount

Pattern: verb + (noun) + by + the + noun

Examples: He does his job by the rules / by the
book.
We charge by the hour.
We sell petrol by the litre, not gallon.
40 by

4. By can mean not later than

Examples: You must be at work tomorrow by 8 am.

The traffic must be bad; they should have
been here by now.
Expression: by the time = when
Examples: By the time you wake up, I will be at work.

5. By indicates multiplication, division, and square
measurement

Examples: We multiplied hours worked by the hourly

rate.
We divided the number of hours by staff
available.
The new office is 100 metres by 20
metres.

6. By can mean a lot of

Pattern: by + the + noun

Examples: We receive e-mails by the hundreds
every day.

Typical nouns used after by the:

dozen hundreds thousands truckload

by 41

7. By can indicate the extent of a win or a loss

Examples: We won the contract by a mile.

They lost the game by three points.
Expression: by a mile = by a lot; to a great extent
by far = without question We are by
far the best company when it comes to
value for money.
Expressions:

By all means i.e. certainly (You should by all means pay

us a visit.)
(all) by oneself i.e. alone; without help (She did it all by
herself.)
By chance i.e. for no apparent reason (I found the
information by chance in a local trade journal.)
By (any) chance i.e. perhaps (Do you by any chance
know where I can find the Reception desk?)
By the way i.e. incidentally (By the way, I saw our old
boss at the weekend.)
Little by little i.e. slowly (We wrote some of the report
every day, and little by little we managed to get it finished.
One by one / two by two i.e. one / two at a time (We
interviewed the candidates one by one in the afternoon.)
By profession i.e. indicates ones job (He is an
accountant by profession.)
By reputation i.e. indicates common belief (She is an
outstanding lawyer by reputation.)
Go by the board i.e. be ignored (Our suggestions for
improving the company went by the board.)
By and large i.e. almost completely (The company is
doing very well, by and large.)
42 during / for

Preposition: During

Main uses

1. During indicates within a period of time

Examples: Brian fell asleep during the meeting.

We get very busy during the peak
tourist season.

2. During means at the same time as another event

Examples: I worked on my presentation during

the meeting.
They moved to their home in England
during the unrest in Burma.

Preposition: For

Main uses

1. For indicates a recipient or beneficiary

Pattern One: noun + for + noun

Examples: I have a project for you to lead.
Nouns often used before for:
answer cure gift idea
job message letter plan
present project question suggestion
surprise secret
for 43

Pattern Two: verb + noun + for + noun

Examples: My line manager only wants the best
for the team.
She figured out a solution for me.

Verbs often used before for:

build buy create design
do get make perform
play sing want win
work write

2. For indicates a special purpose

Pattern One: noun + for + noun

Examples: He has an instruction sheet for the
task.
They need clear instructions for that
procedure.

Pattern Two: noun + for + verb in gerund form

Examples: We have a format for writing
recommendations.
We only use this room for meeting
with clients.
Expression: room for i.e. enough space for
something or somebody
Examples: The main hall has room for 120
people.
44 for

3. For can indicate the intended result of an action

Pattern One: verb + for + noun

Examples: The trainees were waiting for the
teacher to arrive.

Verbs often used before for:

apply ask call campaign
complete cry fight go out
go hope long look
petition plead pray register
run send shop shout
stand in line strive study train
try out wait wish work

Pattern Two: verb + someone + for + noun

Examples: We nominated him for president of
the social club.
The company trained him for the
job.

Typical verbs:
ask need nominate send
train want
for 45

Pattern Three: noun + for + noun

Examples: I hope they have prepared a plan
for the project.
There is no need for overhead
projectors now.

Nouns often used before for:

cure recipe directions idea
instructions lesson need plan
pattern programme project system

Pattern Four: be + adjective of condition +

for + noun
Examples: They are well prepared for the final
meeting.
The senior managers are hungry for
success.

Adjectives often used before for:
anxious eager greedy hungry
impatient prepared ready

4. For can explain the reason of an action or fact

Pattern One: verb + for + noun

Examples: He apologised for his absence from
the meeting.

46 for

Pattern Two: verb + for + gerund form of verb

Examples: He apologised for arriving late.

Pattern Three: verb + someone + for + noun

Examples: They compensated him for loss of
earnings.

Verbs often used before for:
book compensate congratulate criticise
expel fine pay praise
punish reimburse reprimand reward

Pattern Four: be + adjective + for + noun

Examples: He is well known for his attention to
detail.

Adjectives often used before for:
famous feared known notorious
popular loved well-known

5. For can indicate the expected benefits of an action

Pattern: verb + for + noun

Examples: He invested long term for greater
financial security.

for 47

6. For can indicate the effect of an adjective

Pattern One: be + adjective + for + noun

Examples: Exercise if good for your health.
To employ qualified personnel is
important for business success.

Adjectives often used before for:
accessible available bad crucial
good healthy helpful important
necessary unhealthy useful

Pattern Two: it + be + adjective + for + object +

infinitive
Examples: It was necessary for them to secure
new contracts.

Adjectives often used before for:

bad better challenging customary
crucial good helpful important
impossible necessary possible ridiculous
unimportant unnecessary unusual useful
useless wasteful worse

Pattern Three: be + (not) adjective + enough + for

+ noun
Examples: This room is big enough for the
meeting.
48 for

Pattern Four: be + too + adjective + for + noun

Examples: That training course was too
challenging for him.
The office is too small for three
people.

7. For can indicate the recipient of someones feelings

Pattern: be + adjective +for + noun (person)

Examples: We are happy for them on their
promotion.

Typical adjectives before for:

delighted happy pleased sorry
thrilled

8. For can indicate activity or preparation on an occasion

Pattern: verb + (noun) + for + noun
Examples: What do you want for your
birthday?
What did you have for dinner?

Typical nouns after for:

ones anniversary birthday graduation
breakfast dinner the holidays
lunch
for 49

9. For indicates a substitute

Pattern One: noun + for + noun

Examples: Im sorry, I mistook you for someone
else.

Pattern Two: verb + for + noun

Examples: He did the work for his colleague,
who was sick.

Verbs often used with this meaning:

act conduct direct drive
fill in operate manage run
speak stand in substitude teach
work

10. For can mean available

Pattern: noun +for + noun

Examples: The business is for sale.
The reference library is available for
use by all staff.

Nouns often used after for:

hire practice purchase rent
sale use

50 for

11. For can indicate a destination

Pattern: verb + for + noun

Examples: We are leaving for Pattaya at
midday.

Verbs used before for:

head leave plan set out
start out take off

12. For can indicate representation

Examples: Red is for stop;
green is for go;
B is for Bernie

13. For can indicate equality in an exchange

Pattern One: be + noun + for + noun

Examples: The bananas are two kilos for two
dollars.

Pattern Two: verb + noun + for + noun

Examples: We bought three books for twenty-
five dollars.

Pattern Three: verb + for + noun

Examples: He works for twenty dollars an
hour.

Expressions: For free / for nothing

= without charge
for 51

14. For can indicate amount

Pattern: noun + for + noun

Examples: We sent them an invoice for
200,000 Baht.

Nouns often used before for:

bill invoice receipt request

15. For can indicate length of time

Examples: He worked here for ten years.

Expressions: For good = forever:

He came to live in Thailand for
good.

For life = until death:
They sent him to prison for life.

16. For can indicate need on a future date

Examples: She needs the documents for

Thursday afternoon.
52 for

17. For can mean despite

Pattern: for + all + possessive pronoun +

noun
Examples: For all his experience, he is not a
very good accountant.
Nouns often used with this meaning:
education experience expertise knowledge
popularity training qualifications

18. For indicates the person or people responsible for an

action

Pattern: for + person + infinitive

Examples: Your final grade is for the teacher to
decide.
That problem is for you to solve.

19. For can describe a sense or talent

Pattern: have + noun + for + noun

Examples: He has an aptitude for number
crunching.
She has an ear for music.

Nouns commonly used before for:

aptitude ear eye knack
rhythm talent touch voice
for 53

20. For can indicate an unusual fact

Pattern One: adjective + for + noun

Examples: That boy is tall for his age.
It is really wet for the time of year.

Pattern Two: adverb + for + noun

Examples: He works very effectively for a new
recruit.

21. For can indicate favour or support

Pattern: verb + for + noun

Examples: We have to stand up for our rights.
I am for equality for women seeking
senior posts.

22. For can mean because of

Pattern: verb + for + noun

Examples: We are grateful for your excellent
service.
54 for

Expressions:

For once = for the first time, showing exasperation

Can you please be at work on time for once!
Once and for all = immediately and forever after
She decided to stop smoking once and for all.
Word for word = reading or talking slowly one word at a time
He repeated what he had been told word for word.
For the time being = meanwhile; until something happens to
change the situation
Now that Peter has left, John will work in your team for the
time being.
For fear of = in order to avoid
He worked very carefully for fear of making another costly
error.
For a change = as usual (said sarcastically)
He delegated the difficult task to me for a change.
For the best = even though the situation is unpleasant, it
may be good.
Although it was sad when she died, it was for the best, as
she had been suffering a lot.
Go for a drive/run/swim/walk = spend a short time doing
that activity.
We often go for a walk during our lunch break.
See for oneself = investigate properly
I wasnt sure that was working in her office, so I went to see
for myself.
For better or for worse = accepting all conditions,
regardless of what happens in the future.
He decided to stay in the same job, for better or for worse.
for 55

Phrasal Verbs:

Care for (non-separable) = love

She really cares for him.
Care for (non-separable) = want / like
Would you care for an ice cream?
Fall for (non-separable) = innocently believe or trust
He falls for all her jokes.
Not stand for (non-separable)
The company will not stand for lack of attention to detail in
reporting.
Stand up for (non-separable) = support publicly
I hope you will stand up for my proposal at the meeting.
Take for (separable) = consider as
Dont take him for a fool; he is actually very smart.
56 in

Prepostion: In

Main uses

1. In indicates location inside or within something else

Pattern One: verb + in + noun

Examples: My office is in that building.
The auditors are in a meeting at the
moment.

Nouns commonly used after in:

a) Geographical areas:
city continent country state
town

Examples: He works in Cairo, in Egypt.

b) Comfortable, protected places:
large chair cocoon nest

Examples: He sat down in the armchair to

watch TV.

c) Inside areas:
basement building corner hall
kitchen office room

Examples: She is in her office, in that building

there, in room 302, sitting in the
corner.
in 57

d) Vehicles where the passengers cannot walk around:

car canoe helicopter small aeroplane
small boat

Examples: We went in the car, but the Directors

went in a helicopter.

e) Publications and speeches:
article book dictionary encyclopaedia
lecture magazine newspaper speech

Examples: He didnt say that in his speech,

but I read it in an article that he had
written.

Pattern Two: be + in + noun (with no article)
Examples: He cant come to the phone
because hes in bed.
He will not be coming to the meeting
because he is in England at the
moment.

Nouns commonly used after in:

bed church class jail
place school town

Pattern Three: verb + noun + in + noun

Examples: Insert the examples in the
appendix.
58 in

2. In indicates membership of a group or category

Pattern: be + noun + in + noun

Examples: There are five people in my project
team.
My boss is the expert in our office.

Nouns commonly used after in:

association category choir chorus
club family group team
officer society

3. In can indicate a period of time

Pattern: be + in + time period

Examples: In the 1900s (century)
In the 1960s (decade)
In March (month)
In the morning / afternoon /
evening (period of the day)
In the past / future (period of time
in general)
In childhood / infancy / adulthood /
life (stage of life)
In spring / summer / winter /
autumn (season)
In 2006 (year)
In our thoughts / actions (during
general activities)
in 59

Expressions: in advance = before an event

Example: You have to pay in advance.

4. In can mean after a period of time

Pattern: in + (number) + noun

Examples: They will be here in ten minutes.

Expressions: in no time = very soon

Example: They will be finished in no time.

5. In can mean movement or transfer from one place into
another

Pattern One: verb + in(to) + noun

Examples: They went in the shop.

Pattern Two: verb + noun + in + noun

Examples: Please put the report in the desk
drawer.

Pattern Three: verb + object + in

Examples: When you finish the test, hand it in
to the teacher.

6. In indicates the number of individual parts of something

Pattern: number + plural noun + in + noun

Examples: There are seven days in a week.
There are 100 cents in a dollar.
60 in

7. In means during a type of weather

Pattern One: in + the + noun

Examples: He had to walk home in the rain.

Pattern Two: in + noun (no article)

Examples: In hot weather we have to use the
AC.

8. In can indicate direction

Examples: Have you seen Khun Kae?

Yes, she just went in that direction.

9. In can indicate ratio

Pattern: number + in + number

Examples: He is one in a million.
Five in a hundred people are
earning the average salary.

10. In can indicate the style or composition of recorded

material

Pattern: in + noun
Examples: The letter was written in ink.
The film was made in black and
white for effect.
Please submit the report in
duplicate.
in 61

11. In indicates the use of a language or style of

expression

Pattern: in + noun (with no article)

Examples: The report was written in English
and Thai.
The report was summarised in a few
words.
He completed the trend analysis in
detail.

12. In describes a manner of behaviour

Pattern One: verb + in + a/an + noun

Examples: He always worked in an efficient
manner.
He spoke in a very loud voice.

Pattern Two: verb + noun + in + noun (no article)

Examples: He explained the situation to me in
confidence.

13. In means wearing

Pattern One: in + noun

Examples: He was dressed in a suit and tie.

Pattern Two: in + noun (with no article)

Examples: Everybody should come to the office
party in costume.
62 in

14. In indicates involvement in a career or project

Pattern: be/be involved/work + in + noun

(with no article)
Examples: He has worked in accounting for
many years now.
They are involved in the fashion
garment business.

Nouns commonly used with this pattern:

accounting administration architecture
banking business computers
entertainment government insurance
journalism law medicine
politics publishing research
teaching training the armed services

15. In defines an arrangement

Pattern One: in + a + singular noun

Examples: The delegates all sat in a circle
during the workshop.

Pattern Two: in + plural or uncountable noun

(note: no article)
Examples: She filed all the reports in order on
her computer.
in 63

16. In indicates composition of money

Pattern: in + noun
Examples: The company prefers to pay in
cash.
I have 600 Baht in change.

17. In indicates a purpose

Pattern One: in + noun (no article) + of + noun

Examples: He was dressed in a suit and tie.

Nouns commonly used with this meaning:

aid appreciation celebration
commemoration dedication honour
memory praise search

Pattern Two: in + order + to + verb

Examples: They are retaining profit in order to
finance further expansion.
64 in

18. In can indicate a special relationship

Pattern One: in + noun (no article) + with + noun

Examples: We are working in collaboration with
senior management at the company.
Their operations have much in
common with other banks with whom
we have worked.
I am writing in connection to your
previous letter.

Nouns often used with this meaning:

agreement alignment collaboration
collusion combination common
comparison competition conflict
conjunction connection cooperation
debate dispute harmony
step sympathy touch
trouble

Pattern Two: in + noun + with + noun

Examples: They were in full agreement with
our recommendations after they had
read the full report.

in 65

19. In can indicate a current state

Pattern: be + in + noun (no article)

Examples: The reports are in circulation at the
moment.
Are services are in great demand at
the moment.

Nouns commonly used with this pattern:

bankruptcy captivity charge
circulation confinement conflict
control debt demand
jail power session
trouble trust

Expressions: In a corner = trapped (With so

many deadlines to meet and more
work arriving, he was really in a
corner.)
In the dark = ignorant of the facts
(My colleagues kept me in the
dark about their plans to leave the
company.)
In good hands = well-served
(I am in good hands using PwC for
financial advice.)

66 in

20. In can mean on the occasion of

Pattern One: in + noun (no article)

Examples: He nodded his head in agreement.

Nouns commonly used with this meaning:

acceptance action comparison conclusion
contrast conversation defeat practice
return the end

21. In can indicate a warning or prediction of a reaction

Pattern: be + in + for + a + noun

Examples: He is in for a shock when he sees
the return on investment figure.

Nouns commonly used with this meaning:

rude awakening shock treat surprise

22. In can define the emphasis or perspective of a

statement

Pattern One: in + noun (with no article)

Examples: In fact, this is a very good report.
In conclusion, I want to make one
final recommendation.
in 67

Nouns commonly used after in:

addition all all seriousness analysis
answer conclusion fact general
particular question return reverse
theory truth

Pattern Two: in + ones + noun

Examples: In my opinion, to do that would be a
mistake.
In my view, I think we should consider
postponing the project start up.

Expressions: In any case = no matter what happens

(We will have the meeting in any
case.)
In that case = if that happens
(In that case, we will have to postpone
the meeting.)

Pattern Three: in + the + noun

Examples: In the final analysis, the project was
actually quite successful.

Nouns used with this pattern:

end final analysis
68 in

Pattern Four: in + noun + of + noun

Examples: In case of fire, do not use the lifts.
They went ahead with the
investment in spite of our advice to
the contrary.
In view of the worsening economic
climate, I think we should halt the
recruitment process.

Nouns commonly used with this pattern:

Case light spite terms view

23. In can indicate a topic

Pattern One: noun + in + noun

Examples: There was a significant
improvement in profitability in the
second quarter.

Typical nouns used before in:

advance change decline decrease
improvement increase

Pattern Two: verb + in + noun

Examples: She participated in the planning of
the conference.
We intend to invest in the
modernisation proposals.

in 69

Typical verbs:
assist cooperate help participate
invest persist

Pattern Three: adjective + in + noun

Examples: The company is interested in further
expansion next year.

Expressions:

In addition to = plus
(In addition to the sum owing, we
are sending a payment plan.)
In sight = an indication that something is
visible, or will happen soon
(The report is almost finished; the
end is in sight.)

Phrasal Verbs

To break in = enter without permission

(intransitive) Someone broke in to my
apartment and stole some
jewely
To butt in = interrupt a private conversation
(intransitive) Everything was fine until she
butted in.
To check in = register
(separable) After they checked in to
the hotel, they went to the
conference hall.
70 in

To chip in = contribute
(intransitive) The students all chipped in to
buy the teacher a present. (Fat
chance)
To count in = expect someones participation
(separable) If you are looking for volunteers,
count me in.
To drop in = let something fall into a deep
(separable) container
After you finish the letter, please
drop it in the mailbox.
To drop in (on) = visit someone without notice
(non-separable) Is it OK if I drop in on you
sometime tomorrow to borrow
that DVD?
To fill in = complete a form
(separable) Can you please fill in the
application form?
To fill in (for) = substitute
(non-separable) Another person is filling in for
her while she is on vacation.
To get in = enter, perhaps with slight
(non-separable) difficulty
The door was locked, but we
got in through an open window.
To give in (to) = surrender
(non-separable) I hope he never gives in to the
unreasonable demands of his
line manager.
in 71

To keep in = not allow to go out

(separable) The child was sick and his
mother decided to keep him in.
To key in = type into the computer
(separable) First you have to key in your
password.
To kick in = contribute
(intransitive) When the power fails, the
generator automatically kicks in.
To look in (on) = occasionally check
(non-separable) While we are away, can you look
in on my mother to make sure
she is OK?
To squeeze in = make room or time for somebody
(separable) The boss was very busy, but she
managed to squeeze me in.
To take in = to make smaller
(separable) The skirt was too big, so she
took it in at the waist.
To take in = to comprehend
(separable) He spoke so quickly, I couldnt
take it all in.
72 into

Prepostion: Into

Main uses

1. Into indicates entrance

Pattern One: verb + into + noun

Examples: We went into his office.
I drive into the city centre every day
for work.

Typical verbs before into:

blow break come drive
fall fly gaze get
go look move walk
run sail stare storm

Pattern Two: verb + noun + into + noun

Examples: She poured the water into the glass.

2. Into can indicate division

Pattern One: number + into + number = number

Examples: Three into twelve equals four.
into 73

Pattern Two: verb + noun + into + (number) + noun

Examples: He divided the personnel into four
teams.
She arranged the information into six
main areas.
He cut the pie into four pieces.

3. Into can indicate a change in condition or form

Pattern One: go/get + into + noun (with no article)

Examples: They went into debt after the fire at
the warehouse.
He always gets into difficulty when
writing very long sentences.

Pattern Two: go/get + into + noun

Examples: They got into an argument over the
best strategy to use.

Expressions: To turn into = to change into a

different form:
The information was turned into
diagrammatical form.

4. Into can indicate interest or occupation
Pattern: be/go + into + noun
Examples: All of the children went into
accountancy.
74 into

Phrasal Verbs

To break into = to begin an activity

(non-separable) They all broke into great
applause when he finished
speaking.
To look into = to obtain information
(non-separable) The team leader looked into
the allegations made.
To run into = to see an acquaintance by
(non-separable) chance
They ran into each other again
at the next conference.
To run into = to encounter
(non-separable) They ran into difficulty when
translating the report into Thai.
To talk into = to convince or persuade
(separable) someone to do something
He didnt want to be the team
leader, but I talked him into it.
out 75

Preposition: Out

Main uses

1. Out can indicate removal

Pattern: verb + noun + out

Examples: Can you leave that section out of
the report please?

Typical verbs used with out:

carry cross cut get
kick leave move take
tear throw

2. Out can indicate distribution

Pattern: verb + noun + out

Examples: I was asked to give these papers
out to all team members.

Typical verbs used with out:

give hand mail pass send
76 out

3. Out of indicates movement from inside

Pattern One: verb + out of + noun

Examples: He came out of the meeting to
speak with me.

Pattern Two: verb + noun + out of + noun

Examples: He took the unclear section out of
the report.

4. Out of indicates absence

Pattern: be + out of + noun

Examples: The boss is out of the office.

Expression: To be out of town = to be absent

from ones place of residence
Examples: The boss is out of town this week.

5. Out of indicates distance from

Pattern: verb + out of + noun of place

Examples: Their factory is six kilometres out
of town.
out 77

6. Out of can mean no longer in supply

Pattern: be/run + out of + plural or

uncountable noun
Examples: I cant print that off because I am
out of ink.
They had to stop production as they
had run out of raw material stocks.

Typical uncountable nouns used after out of:

breath petrol luck money
stock time work

7. Out of can mean not as usually expected

Pattern: be + out of + noun

Examples: That sentence is out of context,
dont you agree.
Their new machinery is currently
out of commission.

Typical nouns used after out of:

commission context control date
fashion focus place practice
reach season shape style
sync the ordinary the way tune
78 out

8. Out of indicates the basic ingredients or composition

of something

Pattern One: verb + noun + out of + noun

Examples: She made the meal out of leftovers
from the day before.

Pattern Two: past participle of verb + out of +

noun
Examples: That bread is made out of whole
wheat flour.

9. Out of can indicate a fraction

Pattern One: number + out of + number + noun

Examples: Nine out of ten new clients continue
to use PwCs services.

Pattern Two: number + noun + out of + noun

Examples: Only three members out of the
whole team missed the English
Language training course.

10. Out of can indicate beyond

Pattern: verb + out of + noun

Examples: He is out of touch with reality.

out 79

11. Out of can indicate a reason for action

Pattern: verb + out of + abstract noun

Examples: He resigned his post out of loyalty
to his employer.

Typical nouns used after out of:

animosity anxiety compassion cruelty
curiosity fear kindness love
loyalty malice passion pity
respect spite sympathy

Expressions:

Out of doors = outside

The children love to play out of doors.
Out of it = not conscious of reality
He was suffering from jet lag at the
meeting and was completely out of it.
Be put out = be resentful
He was really put out when you failed
to congratulate him on his promotion at
the monthly meeting.

80 out

Phrasal Verbs

To ask out = invite on a date

(separable) He asks her out a lot, but she
never accepts.
To blow out = to extinguish with air
(separable) She blew out all the candles on
her birthday cake in one breath.
To break out = start suddenly
(intransitive) A fire broke out in their new
factory yesterday.
To break out = to escape
(non-separable) Two prisoners who broke out of
jail last week are still on the run.
To check out = investigate
(separable) The AC isnt working, but a
repair man is coming to check
it out.
To check out = borrow officially
(separable) He went to the company library
to check out the specimen
report.
To check out (of) = pay the bill at a hotel
(intransitive) Im sorry sir, but your colleagues
have already checked out.
To chicken out (on) = not act because of fear
(non-separable) He wanted to give his boss
a piece of his mind, but he
chickened out.
out 81

To count out = not expect someones

(separable) participation
If you are planning a meeting on
Saturday, you can count me out.
To drop out (of) = leave a group or society
(intransitive) After only one semester, he
dropped out of university.
To eat out = eat at a restaurant, rather than at
(intransitive) home
They usually eat out on
workdays.
To figure out = solve; understand
(separable) I cant figure out how the
company made such a huge
loss.
To fill out = complete in writing
(separable) Could you please fill out these
forms?
To find out = learn by investigating
(separable) Can you help me find out how
that happened?
To get out of = find an excuse to break a
(non-separable) commitment
I was supposed to have dinner
with my boss tonight, but I
managed to get out of it to come
and see you instead.
82 out

To go out with = date someone

(non-separable) Every Friday after work, I always
go out with my colleagues for a
drink.
To keep out (of) = not enter
(intransitive) They told us to keep out of the
office while it was decorated.
To knock out = eat at a restaurant, rather than at
(separable) cause to lose consciousness
The champion knocked his
opponent out in the first round.
To look out (for) = be careful
(intransitive) It is important to look out for
common mistakes when editing
your own work.
To pass out = faint
(intransitive) She hadnt eaten all day, and she
passed out.

To pass out = distribute

(separable) I will now pass out copies of the
final report for your information.
To pick out = select
(separable) We interview lots of candidates
and then pick out those whose
English is the best.
out 83

To point out = call or draw attention to

(separable) I would like to point out the
importance of the final paragraph
in the opening statement.
To put out = extinguish; display
(separable) He put the fire out quickly.
To put out = to inconvenience
(separable) Are you sure my staying with you
will not put you out at all.
To stand out (from) = be noticeable
(intransitive) He stands out from all the other
new recruits.
To step out (of) = leave a room or building
(intransitive) It was so hot in the meeting; I
had to step out into the reception
area for a while to cool off.
To talk out of = convince someone no to do
(separable) something
He would have married too
young if I had not talked her out
of it.
To try out (for) = audition
(non-separable) I was supposed to have dinner
He is going to try out for the lead
role in the new play.

84 out

To try out = use before buying to find out if

(separable) suitable
They let you try it out once
before they expect you to join the
gym.
To turn out = indicates a result
(intransitive) The research was difficult to
complete but it turned out well in
the end.
To watch out (for) = be careful
(intransitive) He told her to watch out for
making simple mistakes when
writing English.
To wear out = use until ruined
(separable) I wore my shoes out, and had to
throw them away.
To work out = solve a problem
(separable) The report was full of acronyms,
but we managed to work them all
out in the end.
To work out = do exercise
(intransitive) I try to work out about three
times a week.
articles 85

Articles

Introduction

When we are talking about nouns, it is useful to know which

ones we are talking about to help determine what we are
talking about. This is why we use determiners in English
grammar.

Articles are one category of determiners (along with

possessives and demonstratives) and these are particularly
troublesome for Thai speakers and writers of English.
Fortunately, however, there are some basic rules that, once
remembered, can help you know when to use which article,
and when not to use one at all so here goes!

What are the articles?

As you know, there are only two types of article, and they are
as follows:

1. The indefinite article a and an (as well as one)

2. The definite article the

We will take each one of these in turn, starting with the

indefinite article.
86 articles

A The Indefinite Article

Case One: a and an

The general rule: we use a before a consonant, and an before

a vowel

To be more accurate when deciding which one to use, however,

it is better to say that it depends upon the pronunciation of the
following word, and not the spelling.

Therefore, a better general rule regarding the indefinite article is:

a) We use a before a noun beginning with a consonant, or a

consonant sound.

Examples: a dog a hat

a union a one-pound coin

b) We use an before a noun beginning with a vowel, or a

vowel sound.

Examples: an orange an uncle

an hour an MP
articles 87

To check that you understand and can use this rule, complete
the following exercise by deciding whether the noun should be
preceded with a or an:

Exercise One:

1. ..... elephant 2. ..... university

3. ..... umbrella 4. ..... ticket
5. ..... VIP 6. ..... honest man
7. ..... half-hour meeting 8. ..... useful book
9. ..... one-hour meeting 10. ..... SOS
11. ..... X-ray 12. ..... European
13. ..... hand 14. ..... underpass
15. ..... unit 16. ..... CD
17. ..... exam 18. ..... company
19. ..... MOE 20. ..... executive

Case Two: a / an and one

There are times when we use one and not a/an, such as:

In contrast with another or other(s)

- One department decided to go for training, but the
others decided to stay in the office
In the expression one day
- One day, I will take you to meet their representatives.
With hundred and thousand when we want to sound precise
- How many are there, about a hundred?
Exactly one hundred and three.
In expressions like only one and just one
- We have several potential accounts, but only one
active account.
88 articles

To check that you understand and can use these uses, com-
plete the following exercise by filling in the blank spaces using
either a or one:

Exercise Two: A or one?

1. _____ day last year

2. It was _____ hot afternoon in June
3. I was hurrying to get home. I was about _____ hour late;
well, to be precise, exactly _____ hour and ten minutes.
4. I had taken the train that arrived at the station at 6.15.
Anyway, there was _____ lovely dark-haired girl
5. The girl took some stones from her pocket and threw
_____ stone after another into the air.

The main uses of a / an

Use number one: to say what kind of thing somebody or

something is, what job a person does, or
what something is used as.

He is an auditor / She is a manager

He has worked as an accountant
We use the minutes of the meeting as a record of what
was decided

N.B. it is important to note, however, that a / an has

no plural e.g. They are auditors / They worked as
accountants / We use minutes as records of what
was decided
articles 89

Use number two: a / an can mean any example of

something.

A general description of a company has five main

sections.
A report generally takes longer to prepare than
a recommendation.
I would appreciate a copy of that report.

N.B. In the plural form, we either use no article, or we

use some:

General descriptions of a company have five main

sections.
Reports generally take longer to prepare than
recommendations.
I would appreciate some copies of that report

Use number three: a / an can mean a particular one if you

do not say exactly who or which.

A customer called while you were out of the office.

The manager has appointed an auditor to do the job.

N.B. In the plural form, we use some or no article:

Some customers called while you were out of the office.

The manager has appointed auditors to do the job.

Use number four: a / an is not used with uncountable

nouns (NOT a rain)
90 articles

Use number five: A / an is not used with possessives

(NOT a my friend)

Use number six: A / an is usually dropped after kind of or

sort of
(A kind of tree NOT a kind of a tree)

Use number seven: A / an is not dropped in exclamations with

what
(What a pity! NOT What pity!)

Use number eight: A / an usually comes after quite, rather

and such (quite / rather / such a good piece
of work)

A / an in descriptions:

1. We use the indefinite article to describe people,

Examples: a) Hes got a long nose and an

interesting face
b) My line manager is a hard worker
c) I have been told that I have a
bad temper, but a good sense of
humour

2. Note that hair is singular, and has no article,

Examples: She has got dark hair.
(NOT a dark hair or dark hairs)

articles 91

B The Definite Article

The = you know which one(s)

The means you know which (one/ones) I mean

Examples: a) I bought a radio and a CD player, but

the CD player didnt work.
(You know which one it is the CD
player that I just told you about; the
one that I bought)
b) The women over there work with my
sister.
(You know which ones the women
that I am pointing out to you.)
c) Please close the door.
(You can see which one.)
d) Hes been to the North Pole.
(It is obvious which there is only one)

We often use the with only and with superlatives

Examples: a) She is the only woman for me.

b) Hes the worst teacher I have ever had.
92 articles

Exercises
Here are some exercises to check your understanding of the
information given already on this help sheet. (For the answers,
ask Bernie to send them to you.)

Exercise 1:
Put in the if the speaker and listener probably know exactly
which (one/ones). Put in a / an or x (no article) if not.

a) Who opened _____ window?

b) She lives in _____ centre of Bangkok.
c) Id like _____ glass of water.
d) My sister is married to _____ accountant.
e) _____ man in _____ next office is my line manager.
f) Hes _____ the oldest person in _____ office.
g) Whos _____ man standing by _____ water fountain.
h) They have got _____ boy and _____ girl. _____ boys
two years older than _____ girl.
i) Today is _____ only day that I am free.
j) A: Which coat is yours?
B: _____ red one.

Exercise 2:
Put in the, a / an, or x (no article).

Can you see _____man standing near _____ door? He works

as _____ auditor in _____ same company as me. Well, I saw
him at _____ weekend and he was driving _____ big red,
Mercedes. And do you see _____ expensive clothes hes
wearing? I often wonder where he gets all _____ money to pay
for it all. _____ month ago and he hadnt got _____ dollar. I told
you about _____ burglary that we had at _____ office, didnt I?
Do you think we should report it to _____ police?
articles 93

Generalisations without the

1. The does not mean all, so we you cannot use the

in generalisations with plural and uncountable nouns.
Compare the following sentences below:

I like music. Can you turn off the music?

(NOT the music):

Shes very interested in What is the nature of his

nature. illness?

People have to live in Ive joined the Film Society.

society.

Books are expensive. Put the books on the table.

Exercise:
Put the or x (no article) in each blank below:

There must be something wrong with me. _____ people

usually think that _____ babies are cute and _____
teenagers are annoying. Not me, I think _____ babies
are noisy and boring. For me, _____ children are only
interesting from about _____ age of two, when you can
understand _____ things that they say. But _____ time
between ages thirteen and twenty are _____ years that I
like best.
94 articles

2. We do not normally use the in generalisations with

plural and uncountable nouns, even if there is an
adjective before the noun
Examples: She is studying Chinese history.
He collects antique clocks.

But we use the when a description with of follows the noun,
Examples: She is studying the history of China.

3. We can use the in generalisations with singular countable
nouns, to talk about a whole class of things. This is
common in scientific and technical language
Examples: Who invented the telescope?
The tiger is in danger of dying out.

The and no article: special cases

1. Some common expressions with no article after a

preposition:

to / at / from school, university, college, work

at / from home
to / in(to) / out of hospital, bed, prison
to, in(to) / from town
on holiday
by car, bus, plane, etc. (BUT on foot)
to / after / at breakfast, lunch, etc.
at night (BUT in the morning/afternoon/evening)
on Monday, etc.
in spring, summer, etc. (OR in the spring)
at Easter, Christmas, etc.
articles 95

2. Place names with no article:

Continents, most Africa, Germany, Peru, (BUT

countries: The Netherlands)
States, counties, etc: Texas, Phuket, Oxfordshire
Towns: Kanchanaburi, Sydney, Paris
Most streets: Oxford Street, Sukhumvit Road
Lakes, most mountains: Everest, Mont Blanc,
Lake Ontario
Town + buildings: Oxford University, York Airport,

3. Place names with the:

Name includes the Czech Republic,

common noun: the United States
Seas, rivers, deserts: the Atlantic, the Thames,
the Sahara Desert
Mountains and island groups: the Alps, the Himalayas,
the West Indies,
the Philippines
Most geographical regions: the Middle East,
the Midwest of America
Hotels, theatres, cinemas: the Ritz, the Playhouse

Plan write Check

96 common errors

List of common errors found during the

editing of documents
If you have addressed a letter / fax / email to one person, then
use Dear Sir (Not Dear Sirs)
In English if you use a title i.e. Mr. or Miss then use the
surname. i.e. Mr. Smith - not Mr. John
If we write Dear Sir/Madam, then we use Yours faithfully,
If we write Dear Mr.Bush, then we use Yours sincerely,

Words More appropriate words

Affect vs Effect Affect - The company was affected by
losses
- The Company will not be affected
by the results
- The balance sheet was not affected.
Effect - The effect of the loss was as
follows:
- This will take effect from June
- There was no effect on
the balance sheet.
Around Approximately
Between vs reconciliation between tax returns
Among not among
Chance Opportunity
e.g.We are grateful for the opportunity to
assist the company.
Ensure vs The company wants to ensure that costs
Assure are reduced
The company wishes to assure everyone
that.
common errors 97

Words More appropriate words

Everyday vs Every day is spelled as two words as an
Every day adverb but only one word as an adjective:
She swims every day.
The book is written in simple everyday
language.
Execution vs Implementation of business strategy
Implementation
Expiry vs The expiry date was..
Expired The expired date was.
Get to a Reach a conclusion
conclusion
Incur vs Occur Occur is something that has happened
Incur is an expense you are liable for
Change which has occurred
not incurred
The company incurs expenses
The company occurs expenses
Informed vs the Company stated that. or
[Stated or the Company indicated that.
Indicated] the Company informed that ....
Judgment vs waiver granted at the discretion of ..
Discretion waiver granted at the judgment of ..
Old vs Previous i.e. concerning a role
e.g. previous director
Handled by the previous lawyer
On the Contrary Conversely
On vs In The project commenced in Feb 02
but on Feb 23 02
On vs To Draw your attention to
98 common errors

Words More appropriate words

Other vs Selling to another person or another
Another party
Policy to vs Policy Its policy is to pay annual leave only
of after .
Its policy of paying annual leave is
Principal vs i.e. the principal in principle
Principle principal (adjective) major, (noun) sum of
money, or chief person
principle rule
We repay loan principal.
An agent acts for a principal.
Tax principles.
Profit vs Profit = income less expenses
Income Income = revenue = turnover profit
Should vs Would It would be appropriate to call for the full
payment of the shares
Since vs From Began operations under a new BOI
certificate from September
Staff Staff members personal income tax
Staff refers to a number of people and is
followed by a plural verb.

All staffs feel that..

All staff feel that
Top executive Senior executive
Top Senior management
management
We are enclosing We enclose
Whole vs Entire Responsible for the entire operation
Entire project
singular vs plural 99

Singular vs Plural

A word which is Premises

always plural The word premise has an entirely
different meaning
Air freights Air freight
Freights Freight
purchase freights
from airlines and
sells the freights to
customers
Aircrafts Aircraft
Correspondences Correspondence
Equipments The company purchased many
types of equipments
The company purchased many
types of equipment
Evidences Evidence
Incomes The incomes of the
companies.
The income of the
companies.
Information usually All information provided to us is
singular accurate
(this implies many documents, but
the word information is singular)
Interest - as in loan loan interest is tax deductible
interest loan interests are deductible
Lands Land
Loss carry forwards Losses carried forward
100 singular vs plural

Management Management do not believe

Management does not believe
Often singular law (meaning general body of law); and
i.e. tax law court of law
tax laws; court of laws
Power of Attorney Powers of Attorney
Revenues Revenue
Services fee Service fees
Year of service year of services
years of service
length of service
British / American 101

British vs American spelling

(The British spelling is used by PwC)

US UK
Advertize Advertise
Airplane Aeroplane
Artifact Artefact
Catalog Catalogue
Check Cheque
Color Colour
Defense Defence
Favor Favour
Fulfill Fulfil
Kilometer Kilometre
License Licence
Meter Metre
Organization Organisation (especially if talking about PwC)
Program Programme
Theater Theatre
Totaled Totalled
Totaling Totalling
102 casual vs formal

Casual vs formal polite

Casual Formal
ask request
chance opportunity
dropped declined or decreased
enough sufficient
find out discover/identify
get obtain i.e. to obtain approval
get to reach i.e. to reach a conclusion
given provided
have to must
make sure ensure
never not
not at anytime
pick up collect
so therefore
study analyse
tell inform
useless ineffective
replacement for phrase 103

Replacement for phrase

Incorrect Correct
A company limited A limited company with shares
with shares
A decreasing sales A decrease in sales
An increasing sales An increase in sales
As the case may be As appropriate
According to In accordance with
Due to
As a result of
Add a From a tax perspective
Add a From a legal perspective
Affected from Affected by
Affirm vs confirm To affirm the results of the study
Sample size was too small to
confirm
At arms length basis On an arms length basis
At the moment Currently
Based on our Based on our experience
experiences
Bath Baht (Thai Baht)
Beginning balance Opening balance
Board of Directors Singular: Board of Directors
Boards of Director
Plural: Boards of Directors
By itself Its own
e.g. ASA performed ASA performed its own sales
sales by itself
104 replacement for phrase

Incorrect Correct
Claim for a deduction Claim a deduction
for is not necessary Claim the interest rate
Commensurate to Commensurate with
Communications vs communication skills
communication communications skills
Considered as Considered to be but regarded
regarded to as
Double decrease Half
Double decreasing Halving
During year During the year
Effect to Effect on
Ending balance Closing balance
For this case In this case
From tax perspective From a tax perspective
From legal perspective From a legal perspective
Further consideration Consideration should be given
should be given on.. to
Gains incurred gains made
losses incurred
income earned/gained etc
Impact to employees impact on employees
impact on business
etc...
In case that the If the Company wishes to...
Company wishes to...
In additional in addition
replacement for phrase 105

Incorrect Correct
Incur a profit Derive a profit
Incur a loss
Inter-companies Related companies
e.g. most of the debtors are re-
lated companies
In excess of Expenses in excess over
50 dollars.
Expenses in excess of
50 dollars.
In nature of In the nature of
Justifiable ground Justifiable grounds
Ground of justification In this context ground is not used
in singular form.

In English, the phrase is

justifiable grounds;

if you wish to specify one ground,

an alternative word is basis
Keep our good relation- Maintain our relationship
ship
Lum-sum Lump sum
Meeting among meeting between
On top of In addition to
Physical stocktaking Physical stocktake
Requesting us to Requesting that we
Seeking for advice Seeking advice
for is not necessary Seeking our opinion
106 replacement for phrase

Incorrect Correct
Set up Often used when establish would
be more appropriate

Set up policies
Establish policies

Newly set up body

Newly established body
such regulation this regulation
Surprised cash count Surprise cash count
The sales turnover was The sales turnover was in excess
in excess over 5 million of ..
baht
There is no any issues. There are no issues.
Treatment on Treatment of
tax treatment of moulds
Unallowable Disallowed
We recommend the We recommend that the client
client to prepare prepare
We would appreciate if We would appreciate it if
Will be depended on Will depend on
will be dependent on
Worse case Worst case
sounds the same 107

Sounds the same

Advice vs Advise Advice = noun

Advise = verb
Advising advicing VAT operators
advising VAT operators
Authorised from Authorised by
Depended vs Dependent the possibility of lodging the tax
returns is depended on.
Should be
is dependent on
But it depends on
Herebelow As follows
can be described
herebelow
Percentages; singular vs 30-40% of business is
plural -------- of stock is
Practice vs Practise Practice = noun
Practise = verb
Started to operate Commenced operation
The Co. had the The Co. understood that
understanding that
108 hyphens / time frames

Hyphens
world-wide should be worldwide
world-class is correct
Expenses were over-recorded/under-recorded etc
Mark-up
Under-priced
Up-to-date
Thai-speaking
Hire purchase (no hyphen)

Time frames

Incorrect Correct
In April 2003 onwards From April 2003 onwards
or From April 2003
During January-March 2003 Between January and March
2003 or During January 2003
over the period over a period general
over a period of 5 years
over the period (specify
period, dates)
over the period March to
June 2003
Appropriateness 109

Appropriateness

Inappropriate Appropriate
Conditions achieved Conditions met
Dead Deceased
Embraced Accepted
Excuse Justification
Exerting Exercising
Has to Must
hence Therefore
hence it was necessary therefore, it was
necessary
Inflict penalty Impose penalty
Land lord Landlord
Make sure Ensure
Meanwhile At the same time
On the grounds On the basis
On top of In addition to
Payment paid Payment made
Production procedure Production process
Royalties The term is generally used in
the plural, unless it is used
as an adjective i.e. royalty
payment
Such cars The cars
Thus therefore, since, because,
consequently
110 phrases

Phrases

Incorrect Correct
During our course of audit During the course of our
audit
Expenses are taxable Expenses are deductible /
Expenses are exempt from... non-deductible.
Income is taxable /
non-taxable/exempt.
Finish within 6 November Finish by 6 November
(i.e. specific date)
Finish within 6 months/
days (i.e. period)
In case there are errors In the case of errors /
If there are errors
In relation to the followings In relation to the following
In the case of In a case where
Income comprises of the Income comprises the
following following
Production must not be over Production must not be more
than 80% than (or over) 80%
Request the taxpayer to Request that the taxpayer
submit submit
This refers to our meeting In reference to our meeting
or Further to our meeting
We recommend the client to We recommend that the
prepare client prepare
We recommend the We recommend that
management.... management....
Your request in seeking our Your request for our opinion
opinion
assorted tips 111

Assorted tips

Dont start a sentence with Due to use Because

Dont start a sentence with But use However

Dont start a sentence with And use In addition

Due to alternatives: because, since, as, from,

resulting from

Be very careful with the use of could and should, as their

meanings are very different (i.e. the Company could do this
= option/possibility, whereas the Company should do this =
recommendation/suggestion)

Always check spellings of company names and contact

names and make sure that any job titles mentioned in a
document are correct and consistent.

As with request and seek we claim a refund, we do not

claim FOR a refund.

Avoid using excessive bold text and underlinings in

letters - it may annoy the recipient.

Dont use a capital letter at the beginning of a word

mid-sentence, unless it is a specific or defined item/ name
youre referring to - hence we say
tax authorities Tax Authorities
contract Contract
112 assorted tips

Always spellcheck a final document

Remember that in emails, all formatting - bullet points,

tables etc - will likely disappear in the sending process -
if formatting is required, use a Word / PDF document

Be consistent with wording, terminology & layout

If you use abbreviations, you must define them in advance,

and be consistent in the abbreviation used

Think what you say at the end of a letter / email - dont

automatically say the usual please do not hesitate.........
Think: what are the next steps required? - Should we ask
them to call us and discuss, will we call them, do we
need more information, do we need to fix meeting, or a
conference call ? etc.

Avoid use of I, we etc - especially in appendices - better to

say it is understood that than I understand that

Avoid the use of unnecessary phrases such as

- please note that................
- we understand that................
- it should be noted that........
in 90% of cases, this is unnecessary - just go right into the
sentence and eliminate this needless preface

It is not necessary to put the full date including the year -

for example: when we write a letter on the 19th, instead of
saying we refer to our meeting on 18 October 2008,
just say ...........to our meeting yesterday, and if you
do use the dates, then if the year is 2004, no need to state
this - clients will know its this year, and not 1808, that youre
referring to
assorted tips 113

After we reviewed xxxxx, we found that is

incorrect because this issue would have been found during
the review. Therefore, the correct phrase is During our
review of xxx, we found that.

within 31 December is incorrect. This should be either

before 31 December if required before then, by 31
December if that is the last day it is required, or on 31
December if that is the specific day it is required.

Use of the Company. This term is used in place of using

the full company name of the client that the report refers to
and is addressed to. To use this term, it is first necessary to
define it. This can be done as follows:

XYC manufacturing Co Ltd (the Company)

Once this term has been defined, it should then be used

correctly and consistently whenever referring to XYC
manufacturing Co Ltd. Further use of XYC manufacturing
Co Ltd in the report would be confusing, and use of
the company with a small c or the client would be
incorrect. Note that the client should never be used in
a report sent to a client.

Plan write Check

114

Test Your Basic Writing Skills

Do you think youre pretty good at spelling, punctuation and

grammar? Many business people do, but the truth is there are
some common mistakes that nearly everyone makes time and
time again. Weve gathered some of the top offenders in each
of these three categories and fashioned them each into a quiz
for your personal testing pleasure. Answers are provided at the
very end of this article.

Before you begin, keep in mind that a good knowledge of

proper spelling, punctuation and grammar can be a real boost
to both your business writing and the actual success of your
business.
 115

1. Mispelled Oops, I mean:

Misspelled Words
Dont laugh; the word misspell is one the most commonly
misspelled words.

INSTRUCTIONS: Read the following paragraphs and look for the

words in italics. Ten of these words are misspelled and ten are
spelled correctly. See if you can correctly list each group.

Since the dawning of the milennium, coworkers Al Dente and

Brook Troute have been indispensable to their employer,
Mr. Bill Ding. Definately against their better judgment.

Al and Brook started to harass one another because they

were each desperate for superiority. Soon their
embarrassment over their immaturity superseded their
need for dominance.

Its allright, Brook, whispered Al, lets forget about our

preceeding strife. I really like you alot and its a privilege to
work with you.

The concensus around here Al, said Brook quite dreamily,

is that you feel I am the fulfillment of everything youve ever
wanted in a wife.

With an acknowledgement of their mutual love and affection,

Al and Brook moved foreword in their relationship with a
commitment and soon wed. The occurrence of this happy
event led Mr. Ding to exclaim, Congradulations you two!
116

2. Punctuation Pratfalls
OK, you made it through the spelling test; now on to
punctuation.

INSTRUCTIONS: In this quiz, you are given eight sentences

that contain some of the most common punctuation errors. See
if you can find these errors, and when youre done, check to
see if your answers match up with our correctly-punctuated
version of each of these sentences:

1. Mr. Jones said Please submit your report by tomorrow.

2. I would like to have a hamburger, pickle, and coleslaw.
3. Who wrote, In Cold Blood?
4. My report was not up-to-date, I will have to revise it
tomorrow.
5. Three months delay led to a needed change in
procedures.
6. The U.S. Government has three branches; the legislative,
executive and judicial.
7. Politically our candidate has proven to be very skilled.
8. I sent a letter to Jane Jones, 100 Wilkins Ave., Cincinnati
OH 45202.
 117

3. Goofs with Grammar

How do people dislike English grammar? Let me count the
ways. They dislike it to the height and breadth and depth their
non-grammarian souls can reach. OK, thats enough of that.

INSTRUCTIONS: For this exercise, examine each sentence

and check for grammatical errors. Each sentence is either
correct or incorrect. You decide, and then check to see how you
scored.

1. Each of the employees are responsible for payment of

insurance.
2. After reading the initial report, the subsequent report
appears contradictory.
3. The committee is going to give their approval on Tuesday.
4. I want you to without delay inform the writers of their
responsibility.
5. To boldly go where no man has gone before is part of the
introductory voiceover of Star Trek.
6. John starts a new project yesterday.
7. Marys daughter said, I did really good on my test.
8. Painting in a studio with optimum lighting.
118

Answer key
1. Spelling Quiz Answers:

10 Correctly spelled words: indispensable, judgment, harass,

desperate, embarrassment, superseded, privilege, fulfillment,
commitment and occurrence.
10 Misspelled words: millennium, definitely, Its, all right,
preceding, a lot, consensus, acknowledgment
(acknowledgement is acceptable but not preferred), forward,
and congratulations.

2. Punctuation Quiz Answers and Explanations:

l. Mr. Jones said Please submit your report by tomorrow.

Corrected sentence: Mr. Jones said, Please submit your

report by tomorrow.
Explanation of errors: A comma (,) should be placed before a
quote, and a period (.) goes inside the end quote.

2. I would like to have a hamburger, pickle, and coleslaw.

Corrected sentences: I would like to have a hamburger,

pickle and coleslaw. or I would like to have a hamburger,
pickle, and coleslaw.
Explanation of error: Either one of the above punctuated
sentences is correct, although most writers prefer to omit
the serial comma (the comma before the and in a series of
items). The error frequently made is when a writer
sometimes uses the serial comma and at other times does
not. Whatever choice is made, it must be used consistently in
your writing.
 119

3. Who wrote, In Cold Blood?

Corrected sentence: Who wrote In Cold Blood?

Explanation of errors: Incorrect placement of question mark
inside quotation marks. Question marks go outside the final
quotation mark if the entire sentence asks the question.
The question mark goes inside the final quotation mark if
just the quoted material asks the question; i.e., Tom asked,
Whats wrong? There is also no need for the comma in the
sentence; it breaks up the thought.

4. My report was not up-to-date, I will have to revise

it tomorrow.

Corrected sentences: My report was not up-to-date, so I will

have to revise it tomorrow. or My report was not up-to-date;
I will have to revise it tomorrow.
Explanation of error: Comma Splicing. This occurs when you
use a comma to join two complete sentences without placing
either a semicolon or appropriate joining word between them.

5. Three months delay led to a needed change in

procedures.

Corrected sentence: Three months delay led to a needed

change in procedures.
Explanation of error: Missing apostrophe in a possessive
(a word that shows possession).

6. The U.S. Government has three branches;

the legislative, executive and judicial.

Corrected sentence: The U.S. Government has three

branches: the legislative, executive and judicial.
Explanation of error: Use of a semi-colon instead of a colon
to introduce a list.
120

7. Politically our candidate has proven to be very skilled.

Corrected sentence: Politically, our candidate has proven to

be very skilled.
Explanation of error: Missing comma after a set-off word.

8. I sent a letter to Jane Jones, 100 Wilkins Ave.,

Cincinnati OH 45202.

Corrected sentence: I sent a letter to Jane Jones, 100

Wilkins Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45202.
Explanation of error: There is often confusion on where to
place commas to separate parts of addresses. Commas are
needed after the name, street, and city.

3. Grammar Quiz Answers and Explanations

1. Each of the employees are responsible for payment of

insurance premiums. (Incorrect)

Corrected sentence: Each of the employees is responsible

for payment of insurance premiums.
Explanation: Singular subjects take singular verbs, and plural
subjects take plural verbs. The subject each is singular and
requires a singular verb.

2. After reading the initial report, the subsequent report

appears contradictory. (Incorrect)

Corrected sentence: After reading the initial report, I found

the subsequent report to be contradictory.
Explanation: Be careful of the dangling modifier, which is
a word or phrase that modifies another word or phrase not
clearly stated in the sentence, possibly causing confusion
with regard to the speakers intended meaning. In the first
sentence, it is implied that the subsequent report read the
initial report; this we know is not logical.
 121

3. The committee is going to give their approval on

Tuesday. (Incorrect)

Corrected sentence: The committee is going to give its

approval on Tuesday
Explanation: Committee is a collective noun and acts as a
unit, so the singular pronoun is called for.

4. I want you to without delay inform the writers of

their responsibility. (Incorrect)

Corrected sentence: I want you to inform the writers of their

responsibility immediately.

5. To boldly go where no man has gone before is part of

the introductory voiceover of Star Trek. (Correct)

Explanation: The first sentence contains whats called a split

infinitive. An infinitive is the form of a verb that begins with
the word to. Splitting an infinitive means placing another
word or words between to and the infinitive; in this case, the
word inform.

The old rule of never splitting an infinitive in now accepted in

instances where it sounds and looks acceptable, the most
famous and accepted exception being the Star Trek split
infinitive.

6. John starts a new project yesterday. (Incorrect)

Corrected sentence: John started a new project yesterday.

Explanation: Starts is an incorrect verb tense; the verb
should be in past tense.
122

7. Marys daughter said, I did really good on my test.

(Incorrect)

Corrected sentence: Marys daughter said, I did really well

on my test.
Explanation: Good, an adjective, should be used to describe
someone or something; i.e., Melanie is a good artist. Well,
when used as an adverb, describes an action.

8. Painting in a studio with optimum lighting. (Incorrect)

Corrected sentence: I enjoy painting in a studio with optimum

lighting.
Explanation: The incorrect sentence is actually a sentence
fragment, not a sentence. A fragment may be missing a
subject or verb or both; in this case the fragment is missing
both.

Source: www.businessknowhow.com/manage/writetest.htm

Plan write Check

 123

Index
A C
abroad (26) catalog (101)
accepted (109, 121) catalogue (101)
according to (8, 39, 103) chance (41,70, 74, 96, 102)
advertise (101) check (28, 69, 71, 80, 87,
advertize (101) 88, 92, 95, 101, 111,
advice (33, 65, 68 105, 107) 113, 116, 117)
advise (24, 28, 34, 107) cheque (101)
advising (107) claim (104, 111)
aeroplane (57, 101) color (101)
affect (96, 103) colour (101)
air freight (99) company name (11,111, 113)
aircraft (99) compete (12)
airplane (101) competition (12, 64)
among (96, 105) competitive (12)
amount (9, 28, 39, 51) competitor (12)
appreciate (10, 89, 106) concern (12, 28, 34)
around (32, 35, 57 96, 115) conclusion (32, 35, 38, 66,
artefact (101) 67, 97, 102)
articles contrary (68, 97)
indefinite (85-95) correspondence (99)
definite (85-95)
artifact (101) D
assure (96) dead (109)
at the same time (42, 109) deceased (109)
attach (10, 18) deductible (99, 110)
attorney (100) defence (101)
authorised (107) defense (101)
depended (106, 107)
B dependent (106, 107)
between (23, 24, 32, 93, 96, discretion (97)
105, 108, 119, 121) distribution (19, 75)
distributor (19)
124

Index
E G
effect (9, 47, 53, 60, 96, 104) grateful (19, 53, 96)
embraced (109)
emolument (27, 28) H
enclose (10, 98) has to (109)
ensure (96, 102, 109) hence (109, 111)
entire (98,119) herebelow (107)
equipment (99) honorarium (27, 28)
ergative (25) hyphens (108)
every day (20, 40, 41, 72, 97)
everyday (97) I
excuse (81, 109) implementation (97)
execution (97) impose penalty (109)
exercising (109) in addition to (69, 105, 109)
exerting (109) income (8, 98, 99, 104, 110)
experience (16, 52, 103) incur (97, 105)
expired (97) incurre (97, 104)
expiry (97) inflict penalty (109)
information (6, 7, 8, 12, 14,
F 16, 35, 41, 73,
FANBOYS (17) 74, 82, 92, 99,
favor (101) 112)
favour (53, 101) intransitive (13, 14, 25,
fee (18, 27, 28, 37, 100) 69-71, 80-84)
follow (10, 14, 16, 18, 30, 31,
85, 94, 96, 98, 107, 113) J
fulfil (101) judgment (97, 115, 118)
fulfill (101) justification (38, 105, 109)

K
kilometer (101)
kilometre (76, 101)
 125

Index
L O
land (99) occur (97, 119)
land lord (109) on the basis (109)
landlord (109) on the grounds (109)
law (8, 11, 62, 100) on top of (105, 109)
letter (6, 16, 21, 25, 29, 42, 60, onwards (108)
64, 70, 96, 111, 112, 116, organisation (11)
120) organization (101)
licence (101) overseas (26)
license (101)
loan interest (99) P
losses carried forward (99) pay (8, 27, 41, 46, 59, 63, 80,
92, 98)
M payment (28, 69, 98, 109,
make sure (71, 102, 109, 111) 117, 120)
management (64, 98, 100, 110) payment made (109)
manufacturer (19) payment paid (109)
manufacturing (19, 113) percentage (107)
meanwhile (54, 109) person (8, 20, 22, 28, 36, 38,
memo (6) 48, 52, 70, 88, 92,
meter (101) 96, 98)
metre (40, 101) plural (11, 18, 20, 22, 59, 62,
must (8, 30, 40, 93, 102, 109, 77, 88, 89, 93, 94, 98,
110, 112,118) 99, 100, 103, 107, 109,
120)
N policy (98)
number (9, 11, 21, 22, 35, 39,
40, 52, 59, 60, 72, 73,
78, 88, 89, 90, 98)
126

Index
P S
prepositions salary (9, 27, 60 )
about (33-36) sales (9, 19, 25, 103, 106)
after (37-38) singular (11, 18, 22, 62, 90, 94,
by (39-41) 99, 100, 103, 105, 107,
during (42) 120, 121)
for (42-55) stocktake (105)
in (56-71) suggest (20, 24)
into (72-74)
out (75-84) T
principal (98) table (110)
principle (28, 98) thatshould (24)
production procedure (109) theater (101)
production process (109) theatre (95, 101)
profit (63, 98, 105) therefore (21, 86, 102, 109, 113)
program (101) totaled (101)
programme (33, 45, 101) totaling (101)
totalling (101)
R transitive (13, 14, 25)
recommend (20, 24, 106, 110) trend (13, 14, 61)
refer (21, 98, 110, 112, 113)
regard (21, 104, 120) U
remuneration (27, 28) Index
UK (101)
requesting (7, 105) upcountry (26)
retail (19, 25) US (101)
retailer (19)
revenue (98, 100) V
royalties (109) vendor (19)

W
wage (27)
whole (78, 94, 98)
 127

Note
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
128

Note
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
 2008 PricewaterhouseCoopers. All right reserved.PricewaterhouseCoopers refers to the
network of member firms of PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited, each of which is a
separate and independent legal entity