Account Management or Client Service
Posted by Alberto Ferrer on Aug 1, 2007
You say “toh-MAY-toh” and I say “toh-MAH-toh,” the song exclaims, suggesting that it’s the same thing simply pronounced a little differently in each instance. Does a similar dynamic apply in the ongoing debate of Account Management versus Client Service? As I understand it, this is not a matter of simple semantics. It is a deeper [...]
More Grammar Help: Homophones
Posted by Alberto Ferrer on Jun 15, 2007
Homophones are words that sound alike but are spelled differently (and have different meanings). These words are commonly misused (one used instead of the other). Here are some examples. Well, not all these examples are true homophones (for example, the last pair), but they’re still commonly misused.
loose: Not tight, fastened, contained, or restrained.
Correct: The chimney [...]
Words in Plural and Singular
Posted by Alberto Ferrer on Jun 13, 2007
There are words in English with singular/plural combinations that are a little different from the usual “add an ‘s’ at the end” approach. These words are commonly misused (the singular used for the plural or vice versa). Here are some examples:
criterion (singular): A standard, rule, or test on which a judgment or decision can be [...]
Common Grammar Mistakes
Posted by Alberto Ferrer on Jun 12, 2007
Mute/Moot (Point)
The first (rhymes with “cute”) means [a] unable to speak or vocalize, [b] one who is incapable of speech, or [c] to soften or muffle the sound of. The second (rhymes with “boot”) means [a] without significance, having been previously decided or settled, or [b] of no practical importance, irrelevant. You can set your [...]
Liberally Borrowing from Dean
Posted by Alberto Ferrer on May 23, 2007
I was reading the May 14, 2007 issue of DM News the other day and happened upon an article by Dean Rieck. The article is called “A Copywriter’s spin on ‘The Elements of Style’” (Dean is a copywriter by trade, you see). Since I’m interested in good writing, I decided to take a look and [...]
Information Freedom
Posted by Alberto Ferrer on May 18, 2007
When I was working at Leo Burnett as an AAE, I thought quite highly of myself. There I was, making $16,000 per year, working on the prestigious Procter & Gamble business. I had my very own cubicle, my very own key to come in and out of the office (no access cards back then), and [...]
