Affect vs. Effect: A Grammar Lesson

Just when I think I've got this one down, something trips me up. Affect is something that happens. My favorite grammarian, Grammar Girl lists affect as a verb and is means to influence. Effect is a result and a noun. One is a noun, the other is a verb. With that, I shouldn't be able … Continue reading Affect vs. Effect: A Grammar Lesson

Don’t Forget to Say Thank You

Don't Forget to say Thank you

As I addressed previously in The Lost Art of the Thank You Note, I strongly believe saying thank you is important. It seems that in the rush to get help and information some young professionals may be forgetting this common courtesy. If a professional offers you advice, a resume critique or job search assistance, at … Continue reading Don’t Forget to Say Thank You

Some Time Vs. Sometime: Another Grammar Lesson

  I find this fairly straight forward, yet I still trip up on it occasionally.  Sometime means eventually, an eventual future. Example: I will get to New York sometime next year. If you can substitute eventually and the sentence still makes sense, use sometime.  Some time means an unspecified amount of time. Example: I spent … Continue reading Some Time Vs. Sometime: Another Grammar Lesson

Who vs. That: Another Grammar Lesson

For some reason I’ve been having trouble with when to use who and when to use that lately. I used to have it down, but just like the one time in high school I wrote an entire paper without using than (I had convinced myself it wasn’t a word…), I’ve gotten myself mixed up. Luckily … Continue reading Who vs. That: Another Grammar Lesson

Grammar is One of My Weaknesses

You may have noticed, I focus on grammar once a week here at Dispatches. The truth is I’m not innately good at grammar it is one of my weaknesses. Because writing is such a large portion of my job responsibilities, I have to work at getting better at grammar. That is why I focus on … Continue reading Grammar is One of My Weaknesses