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A regular column by author, Simon Rose.

Previously here on Words4TheWebwise, we’ve examined words that are commonly considered to be interchangeable, but actually have very different, often opposite, meanings. Employing the wrong word in a given situation, such as overlooking an important piece of paperwork as opposed to overseeing it, could have disastrous consequences in the workplace.
Other mistakes can be less serious, but can still result in confusion. For example, following an interview for a promotion at which the candidate believed they had performed very well, imagine their reaction to receiving a notification that they’d been ‘excepted’ for the position. Assuming that the employee was familiar with the correct use of the English language, they would instantly wonder what they’d done wrong. Was it something they said? What had someone taken exception to? And how would this affect their career in their current position, since they’d missed out on the promotion for some mysterious, but clearly very important, reason? The candidate’s reaction would of course be very different if they received notice that they’d been ‘accepted’ for the job, prompting congratulations from their fellow employees and celebrations with friends and family.

Altogether and all together are also often confused. Altogether means completely or entirely, whereas all together relates to a group, as in ‘I’d like to have the sales people all together in the boardroom for an announcement’. If you wish to inform your employees that something is entirely false, you would state that ‘the rumors about impending office closures are altogether untrue’ or that ‘the situation next month could be altogether different’, for example. Some time and sometime are also frequently used incorrectly. If your coworker has assisted you in the completion of an important project, you might tell them ‘thanks a lot. I hope I’ll be able to help you out in return sometime.’ However, some time is specific, as in when you reassure your friend who is preparing for an interview, ‘don’t worry, you still have some time to get ready.’

Serious errors appear in important corporate and government communications on a regular basis and can be found on so many company websites. Any potential clients encountering you online may quickly assume that your products and services are as unreliable and shoddy as the text on your web pages. Hiring a professional to look after your writing requirements can make all the difference between success and failure. A professional copywriter will compose text that is designed to get you noticed online, enhance your company’s reputation and ultimately increase your business and profitability.

Simon Rose – Author and Copywriter.
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A regular column by author, Simon Rose.
All languages evolve over time and English is no exception. Many words frequently spoken in the medieval period, in the time of Shakespeare, from the Victorian era or even words in common use as recently as a century ago, most of which can still be found in the dictionary, are rarely heard today. The rapid development of computer technology in recent decades has given us words such as online, laptop, iPod, log-on, cell phone, download and many others, including of course, Internet. However, despite all these newcomers, the incorrect use of existing words and phrases and confusion or indifference to their actual meanings has become rampant. » Read the rest of this entry «

A regular column by author, Simon Rose.

The English language can be very odd when you take a look at it. I mean, consider a word like ‘thought’, which doesn’t look like it should be pronounced the way it is. The spelling is similar to the word ‘through’ although even that word sounds the same as ‘threw’, which has a completely different meaning. No wonder people from other countries have trouble understanding or learning English or that we see images of those badly translated signs from around the world. Nevertheless, that’s no excuse for what sometimes seems like pure laziness in the use of the language by English speakers that we witness so often today in the business world and elsewhere. » Read the rest of this entry «

A regular column by author, Simon Rose.

We’ve all seen those funny signs and ads, featuring incorrect translations in non-English speaking countries or more alarmingly, from parts of the world where English is spoken and where the company or organization should know better. The poor use of English also infiltrated the corporate world’s internal memos and documents quite some time ago. People simply don’t understand their own language anymore. They’re also unaware of what words actually mean or can imply if used incorrectly, leading to comical and at times dangerous assumptions.

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A regular column by author, Simon Rose.

These days, we’re deluged with information on a daily basis. A veritable flood of words and images that someone, somewhere, thinks we should be interested in, but none of us can possibly hope to read it all, no matter how important it may appear to be. Now think of it from the other point of view, since you’re one of those individuals trying to get your information across to customers and potential customers, to sell your products or make people aware of the services that you have to offer. You want them to believe that only you can save them from disaster, help them succeed and become successful.

» Read the rest of this entry «

A regular column by author, Simon Rose.

Still think there’s no need employ a professional copywriter? Here’s the second installment of the top ten reasons why you should always hire an expert to compose your website copy.
» Read the rest of this entry «

A regular column by author, Simon Rose.

The title of this month’s article here at Words4TheWebwise might seem to be stating the obvious, but was inspired by the continuing trend of people deciding against using a professional to compose their website copy. Some people even go to the trouble of contacting an experienced copywriter, give them all the information the writer needs to provide a quote and then still decide they’ll try and do it themselves.

» Read the rest of this entry «

A regular column by author, Simon Rose.

In previous editions of Words4TheWebwise, we’ve talked about banishing meaningless phrases from your web pages and the need to keep the content current, to ensure that your visitors keep returning. People don’t actually read web copy, at least not in detail, but rather tend to scan it very quickly. Consequently, you have very little time to grab and hold their attention, so your copy has to be both compelling and interesting.
» Read the rest of this entry «

A regular column by author, Simon Rose.

Once your website has become established for a while, you’ll doubtless have some regular visitors. However, as comfortable as they may be with everything that you have displayed online, you can’t take this traffic for granted. Yes, your home page serves an introduction to your site, products and services, as well as a way to attract that all-important initial visit. However, in order to keep people interested in your site, keep the home page fresh, so that it doesn’t look exactly the same every time to those frequent visitors. This might appear to be a challenge, since you’ve spent considerable time and effort to create a memorable home page, but there are a number of things that you can try to keep your content current. After all, you don’t want people to think that you’re not paying attention to your business and your customers.

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A regular column by author, Simon Rose.

People who visit websites and study the content have a different mindset compared to when they are checking out a commercial on TV or on the radio or a print ad in a newspaper or magazine. Think about it. You’re reading a magazine, even if you’re waiting in the dentist’s office or somewhere similar, because you’re interested in the articles and stories. It’s the same with TV. » Read the rest of this entry «