Chapter 34

Common English Usage Problems

Language: Key to Your Success

Give careful attention to your use of the English language. The ability to write and speak correctly is so important to a business career that you’ll find the following to be almost always true: As you improve your speech, you will also naturally improve your business success.

Words, phrases, and sentences that are outworn should not be used in a business letter. Stock phrases, like slang, give the impression that the writer has not thought the idea through and has not chosen the best language for expressing those ideas. It’s necessary first to understand thoroughly what you want to say and then to say it forcefully with words as natural to you as those of a conversation. ...

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