Write for Business - Blog

Beside is a preposition that means "next to." Besides is an adverb that means "in addition to."

Put the file cabinet beside the desk.

Besides the new cabinet, we need better lighting.

(From Write for Business, page 226, and Proofreader's Guide PDF, page 38)

Verbs are the words that give your nouns something to do. But just because they move things along doesn't mean all verbs are exciting. Some verbs that include a form of "be," (e.g., is kept, are taken, were heard) are passive - they suggest that something is merely happening to the subject and, as a consequence, are pretty dull. Active verbs, on the other hand, make the subject actually do something: walk, talk, fly, or crash. The right verbs are specific and engaging, and they will help you produce lively writing.

Let's look at the difference an active verb can make in this sentence: The Employee of the Year award was given to George. Good for George, but the sentence is dull. Since George is really the focus here, let's make him the subject and match that subject to an action verb - George received the Employee of the Year award. Now George becomes an active participant, and the action gives the sentence a little more zing.

Use a thesaurus to find specific verbs for a general action. For example, if you look up "walk" in a thesaurus, you will likely find choices such as amble, stroll, stride, hike, totter, and saunter. Note how each verb presents a different, precise picture. In our example, George may also have accepted, collected, picked up, acknowledged, or even earned his award. Each verb presents a slightly different action.

Of course, there is also a place for passive verbs, especially in formal writing, such as board meeting minutes. For most writing, however, use active verbs to involve your reader and move your writing from bland to engaging.

You can learn more about active verbs on pages 246-247 in Write for Business, just one of the many helpful business writing materials from UpWrite Press.

- Joyce Lee

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Capitalize the first word in a sentence and in a direct quotation.

Advertising staffers gathered for the usual Monday meeting.

Ms. Beggs began, "A lie may take care of the present, but it has no future."

Note: Also capitalize the first word of a saying, a slogan, a motto, or dialogue when it appears within a sentence. A question within another sentence may or may not be capitalized.

Marsha believes the saying All's well that ends well.

The first rule is, When in doubt, leave it out.

My question is, How (or how) are we going to pay for this?

Capitalizing First Words in Lists

Capitalize the first word in each item in a list typed in an outline style.

Come to the meeting prepared to do the following:

1. Share your thoughts on the latest building plan.
2. Explain the changes to the original blueprint.
3. Provide an updated cost analysis and environmental impact statement.

Note: Do not capitalize the first words in such a list if all together the items compose a complete sentence.

Come to the meeting prepared with the following:

1. a presentation of the latest building plan,
2. an explanation of the changes to the original blueprint, and
3. an updated cost analysis and environmental impact statement.

(From Write for Business, page 205, and Proofreader's Guide PDF, page 17)

Capitalize all proper nouns and proper adjectives (adjectives formed from proper nouns).

The owner, Lynn Taylor, would like to thank Rankin Technologies.

I have a Cartesian philosophy: “I think, therefore I am…promoted.”

(From Write for Business, page 205, and Proofreader's Guide PDF, page 17)

Base is the lowest part or the foundation. Bass (when pronounced like case) is a low-pitched sound. Bass (when pronounced like pass) is a fish.

(From Write for Business, page 226, and Proofreader's Guide PDF, page 38)