![]() Orientate does have British origins, so be culturally sensitive. In the US we get oriented to a new position, and you orient yourself using a compass. Orientate: I was surprised to learn this is a real word, and agree that it sounds like fingernails on a chalkboard. It is however considered non-standard, and people over the age of about twenty-two won’t accept it as proper English. Irregardless: Unfortunately our tendency to conflate irrespective and regardless has turned this into a legitimate 20th century word. Compensation experts have a real reason to use this one when designing incentive plans, but the rest of us should steer clear. Incentivize: You mean motivate, and it’s a good practice to say what you mean. Beware of making words longer to sound more sophisticated - in this case simple is good enough. Simplistic: “We’ve come up with a very simplistic go to market strategy” means your strategy is oversimplified or dumbed down. So be careful before promising you’ll peruse that contract before you sign it. The correct meaning is to study or scrutinize. ![]() Even if you get this one wrong, I hope your coworkers give you the benefit of the doubt. Dead Wrongīare with me: Unless you’re inviting a colleague to undress with you, the right usage is “bear” with me. Use these words and phrases, correctly or incorrectly, at your own risk. In case those don’t make it to the top of your interminable to-do list, here are a handful of my personal favorite solecisms (it means blunders). Grammar Girl's 101 Misused Words You'll Never Confuse Again is fairly straightforward, and there’s even a Grammar Girl podcast on iTunes. There are a handful of books that can help you avoid the pitfalls of commonly misused English words. Whether or not you were an English major, it’s worth taking some time to refresh your business communication skills. Companies are placing a premium on not only verbal but written communication skills, with some even asking candidates for a writing sample as part of the application process.Ī strong command of English at work can build your confidence and earn the respect of peers and higher ups. Authors as diverse as Malcolm Gladwell and Deborah Tannen talk about the sometimes serious impact of miscommunication and misunderstandings at work. How well you communicate will surely be a factor the next time you’re being evaluated for a new job or considered for the next promotion. Communication matters during everything from first impressions to presentations, meetings and conference calls. ![]() You hardly need to be convinced or reminded about the importance of clear and concise communication at work.
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