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Tag Archives: Useful everyday phrases
One of… / each of… / any of… plus plural
If you use the phrases “one of… / each of… / any of…” they must be followed by the plural. Think about it – it’s logical. You’re always referring to one of / each of / any of many. WRONG … Continue reading
How to translate “W przypadku gdy…”
WRONG In case when the Lessee does not acquire a building permit before 30 June 2014, the Lessor has the right to terminate the lease agreement upon one month’s notice. RIGHT If the Lessee does not acquire a building permit … Continue reading
Careful how you translate “żaden”
Mistakes are made when żaden is translated as “any” instead of “not … any”, “no”, “none” etc. Have a look at the following example: WRONG The exercise of this right is conditional upon the State Treasury having any shareholding in … Continue reading
How to translate “na koncie” / “na konto”
WRONG In English the phrase on a bank account is ALWAYS WRONG! RIGHT Payments are made into a bank account; money is transferred to a bank account; and, once a payment or transfer has been made, money is in a bank … Continue reading
As of
“As of” is a little phrase but I have a lot to say about it. Although it is very common in business writing it can create ambiguity if used incorrectly. Ambiguity is caused by the fact that “as of” has … Continue reading
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Tagged Clear and concise writing, Prepositions, Time expressions, Useful everyday phrases
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“At” a meeting, NOT “on” a meeting
Never say on a meeting. The correct way to say it is at a meeting. This is a very common mistake among speakers of Slavic languages. WRONG We amended the documents according to the instructions you gave us on the … Continue reading
“Base on”, “based on”, “on the basis of” etc
These phrases seem to cause no end of trouble! Base on Mistakes with this arise from incorrectly translating the Polish verb opierać. Look at the example below: Klimatolodzy opierają się na symulacjach tworzonych na komputerach. You CANNOT translate this as: … Continue reading
How to translate “nasza dzisiejsza rozmowa”
Nasza dzisiejsza rozmowa CANNOT be translated as our today’s conversation. WRONG With reference to our today’s conversation I’d like to present you with a summary of our findings. RIGHT With reference to today’s conversation I’d like to present you with a summary … Continue reading
Regards and respect
I regularly see mistakes with phrases using the words “regards” or “respect”. There are several of these phrases in English, but they are easily confused and mixed up. For example, phrases like in respect to and with regards to are incorrect. Here … Continue reading
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Tagged Clear and concise writing, Prepositions, Useful everyday phrases
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“According to…” and “in accordance with…”
Although these phrases are often used interchangeably they have slightly different meanings, so we should be careful how we use them. “According to…” is usually used when you restate something someone told you or something you have heard or read … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Clear and concise writing, Commas, Useful everyday phrases
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