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Category Archives: Uncategorized
How to use initials and acronyms
Non-native English speakers often find it difficult to know when to use “a”, “the” or no article with initials and acronyms. The key is to know what the initials mean. If the initials are a proper noun (name), then you … Continue reading
How to be polite in English
Non-native English speakers sometimes sound abrupt and impolite to native English speakers. This is because they often use language that is too direct, and does not have the correct “distance” from the hearer or reader. It is therefore important to use … Continue reading
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Tagged Conditionals, Modal verbs, Passive voice, polite expressions, Verbs
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The differences (and similarities) between “compose” and “comprise”
Non-native speakers of English are not the only ones who regularly confuse these words or use them incorrectly. Unfortunately, native speakers are equally guilty of mistakes. Here’s how to use them correctly: “compose” – to make up, i.e. the parts … Continue reading
The difference between “consist of” and “consist in”
Until relatively recently I was not aware of the difference between “consist of” and “consist in”. This is probably because among native English speakers “consist in” is very infrequently used in comparison to “consist of”, which is relatively common. In … Continue reading
Misused English terms in EU publications
There is a general opinion among non-native speakers of English that the language of official publications is correct and may be used as a model to follow. Unfortunately, when it comes to many official EU documents, this opinion is wrong. Due to … Continue reading
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The difference between “in future” and “in the future”
Consider these examples: You should be more careful in future. In the future we plan to make significant investments in Romania and Bulgaria. In the first example “in future” means “from now on and always”. It is often used in … Continue reading
The difference between “affect” and “effect”
Generally speaking, the difference is this: “affect” is a verb meaning to have an influence on, to cause a change in something (often negative), “effect” is a noun meaning a result. So, for example: If an area is affected by flooding, … Continue reading
Differences between British and American English
When you write in English you should decide whether to use British or American. Some companies have a policy about this, but many do not. Either way, you should aim to be consistent throughout a piece of writing. The table … Continue reading
The difference between “in case” and “in the case”
“In the case” means “if”. For example: In the case the Lessee fails to undertake reparations within this period, the Lessor may terminate the Lease. = If the Lessee fails to undertake reparations… You may also use this phrase with … Continue reading
How to use the word “control”
“Control” can be either a noun or a verb. It is commonly misused in both instances. “Control” as a noun WRONG As the Branch is an organisational part of the Company, the public authorities may ask for these documents in … Continue reading
Common Mistakes in Business English 