29 words with unexpected spellings

English spelling rules are just weird. We have words that sound the same but are spelled differently (i.e. you and ewe), words with letters that have nothing to do with how the word is pronounced (i.e. thought, although), words that contain silent letters (knight, pneumonia) and words that don’t have a singular form (trousers, alms). Here’s a look at 29 words that aren’t spelled the way you would expect. Can you spell them without looking them up? 1. Asphyxiate 2. Brusque 3. Carburetor 4. Champagne 5. Convalesce 6. Derriere 7. Desiccate 8. Eerie 9. Handkerchief 10....

Backhanded phrases courteous communicato...

Have you ever received feedback or comments from colleagues that begin with the phrase “with all due respect”? The phrase is typically used by someone who wants to criticize you or your work, but that person feels the need to soften the message. Of course, “with all due respect” means nothing of the sort. It indicates willful disagreement with someone in a position of authority; subtle disrespect is intended. Here’s an example in context, pulled from a colleague’s email: “With all due respect, I differ with your perspective that my content was a ‘sales...

10 exercise to help you escape the writi...

Having trouble coming up with the right words? Unable to string more than a few sentences together? Does it seem like your brain is not cooperating in spite of that looming deadline? Perhaps your brain needs a workout. Consider trying out a new writing exercise . . .  constrained writing. It’s just what is sounds like — imposing conditions on your writing, such as disallowing certain types of words or writing to a specific pattern. Imagine writing a short story without using the letter “e” or the word “is.” Writing with a constraint forces you to solve...

40 alternatives to the word “said&...

It’s a word used so frequently that it’s become invisible. Read any article in the mainstream media and count how many times the word “said” or “says” is used. In journalism school, we learned that the only word we could use to attribute speech was “said.” This was presented as an unbreakable rule . . . like refusing to sign an oath of loyalty to a 16th century king. Ignore the rule and it’s off to the tower with you. The reason for this restriction is the need to maintain impartiality. When it comes to quoting what someone has said, journalists don’t...

Why the word “significant” i...

How many times per day do you see the word “significant” in corporate communications? “Significant findings…” “Significant growth…” “Significant work…” “Significant challenges…” “Significant change…” “Significant consequences…” Do you even notice it anymore? The word is used so frequently—in everything from LinkedIn profiles to press releases and annual reports—that it’s lost its meaning. As any graphics design professor would say: If you bold everything on a page, nothing is bolded. If everything is described as...

16 clever pangrams for word lovers

How often does every letter in the alphabet appear in a sentence? That’s exactly what makes a “pangram” special. The most well-known such phrase is: “The quick brown fox jumps over a lazy dog.” Pangrams have been used for years to teach handwriting and typing—and to test typewriters, telegraphs, printers, typefaces and software. Graphic and font designers use pangrams to illustrate their work. For many pangram enthusiasts, the best pangrams are those with the fewest letters. “Mr. Jock, TV quiz Ph.D., bags few lynx.” is considered a “perfect pangram”...

A trademark quiz for PR professionals

Pop quiz: What do the following terms have in common? escalator kerosene corn flakes yo-yo These terms were each coined as a brand name, but were later appropriated by consumers as the generic name for the product. According to the International Trademark Association, “these ‘ghost-Marks’ serve as historic and costly reminders of what can happen to marks if the public comes to regard a brand name as the generic name of a product.” If you went through journalism school or have spent any time with the AP Stylebook, you’re familiar with the style rules that call...

In defense of adverbs

Adverbs aren’t very popular these days. We all know how Stephen King regards and Mark Twain regarded them. English teachers, writing coaches, and would-be authors advise everyone to avoid them. J.K. Rowling—best-selling author and creator of the “Harry Potter” series—has been criticized relentlessly for her use of them. Perhaps it’s time to take a closer look at adverbs, the most maligned of the parts of speech. Adverbs describe verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. They describe how, when, where, and how much. Example: “I was soundly beaten the last time I...