Pearson Business Reference and Writer’s Handbook

Section Five Spelling, Word

Division, and Word Usage

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This section provides The “little” details to be considered in preparing a document for distribution. Spelling errors are among the most glaring that detract from a document’s overall effectiveness.

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Objectives Spot and correct the most commonly misspelled words

Distinguish between similar words and correct errors in usage

Divide words properly (as needed)

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General rule for spelling

Misspelled words are not acceptable in any type of business communication.

There are many spelling rules and exceptions.

Use the dictionary and the spell checker.

AND ALWAYS PROOFREAD

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Electronic spell checkers do not detect most mistakes in

Word usage Verb tenses Suffixes Prefixes Wrong word Omitted words

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Word Division In general, avoid dividing words at the end of a line.

Turn off automatic hyphenation on your word processor.

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Use the dictionary

To properly spell and identify syllables in words …

However, it is not the source for determining proper division of words at the end of a line in printed documents.

Pearson Business Reference and Writer’s HandbookMoore, Seraydarian, and Fruehling

© 2010 Pearson Higher Education,Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458. • All Rights

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Divide words only between syllables BUT

Do not divide before or after a one-letter syllable.

Avoid dividing suffixes from the root word, especially short ones.

Leave at least two letters of the word being divided on the end of the line, and carry at least three letters to the new line.

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Do not divide:

One-syllable words A word if you cannot carry over at least three letters to the next line

Words of six or fewer letters Abbreviations Contractions: doesn’t, shouldn’t Dollar amounts

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© 2010 Pearson Higher Education,Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458. • All Rights

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Do divide A compound word at the hyphen At a suffix or prefix rather than within it.

After a double consonant.

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Word usage

Correct usage of words makes for a skilled writer.

Recognize personal weaknesses and avoid them.

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Some common weaknesses:

Affect/effect All ready/already Everyday/every day Bad/badly Well/good Bring/take Different from/different than

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Spelling and Word Usage

Must be correct in all written documents and should be given a final check for accuracy when proofreading.