Lots of blog ink has been spilled on grammar recently-- this Copyblogger post might have started the deluge. Here are nine suggestions I'd like to submit. Strictly speaking, not all deal with grammar, but all are, in my opinion, commonly used and unsuitable for business communication.
1. Between you and I. You hear and read this everywhere. "Between you and me" is correct. "Me" always follows a preposition--in addition to you and me, besides you and me, across the street from you and me.
2. Literally instead of figuratively. "The price was so low, it literally blew me away." Let's hope the author meant "figuratively". "Literally" can be used when a figure of speech actually happens. For instance, "The tornado was so powerful, it literally blew me away."
3. Quite frankly. This is one of those fad expressions that became so popular, you figuratively bumped into it every time you turned around. I've always thought the expression unnecessary. When you say "quite frankly", are you implying your other statements are not frank? It's like saying, "Quite frankly, everything I've told you up to now has been utter hogwash."
4. Synergy. Another fad expression that's seen better days. Unlike the previous one, "synergy" does mean something, and something rather profound at that. However, since it is used to describe figuratively every relationship under the sun, "synergy" has lost its descriptive power. True synergies are rare. To make a reader or listener really stop and take notice of one, you'll have to find another word.
5. Between the three of us. Between the two of us--OK. Among the three of us--OK. Between the three of us--not OK.
6. Any euphemism for "Sales Representative. In an attempt to take the "sales" out of sales, companies resort to job titles that range from the soothing to the confusing.
- Business Consultant
- Strategic Tactical Liaison
- Marketing Manager
- Relationship Manager
- Customer Care Facilitator
Word Sell ... Scrambled Toast
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