Business Writing: 5 Annoying Word Choices

It happens to us all.  When we’re writing a business letter, a report, or an article for the website, sooner or later we want to use a word that looks and sounds like another.  Their meanings are similar.  If we’re pressed for time and don’t consult a dictionary, we may make the wrong choice.

Here’s a short review of some of those pesky words:

• Affect – effect. These are tough because they can be either nouns or verbs.  (a) As a noun: “Affect” is a technical term used in psychology; “Effect” means essence or appearance (economic effects).  (b) As a verb: “Affect” means to produce a material influence upon or to act upon (how day care affects the company). “Effect” means to bring about (to effect changes).
• Historic – historical.  “Historic” means having great and lasting importance (his election was historic).  “Historical” means having the character of history (a historical survey of popular music).
• Its – it’s.  “Its” is the possessive of “it” (the cat ate its dinner).  “It’s” is the contraction for “it is” (it’s time to go).
• Lay – lie.  “Lay” is a transitive verb, i.e., it requires an object and transmits its action from a subject to an object (the duck lays an egg.  You don’t lay down).  “Lie” is an intransitive verb, i.e., it doesn’t require an object (you lie down).
• Principal – principle.  As a noun, “principal” means a capital sum (principal earns interest) or, as an adjective, the most important (the team’s principal shortstop).  “Principle” is only a noun.  It means a fundamental law or doctrine; a rule (conservative principles).  Tip: think of the “le” in both “principle” and “rule”).

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