Enlightenment and revolution

9 Powerful Grammar Tips to Strengthen Workplace Communication

9 Powerful Grammar Tips to Strengthen Workplace Communication Grammar is not as outdated an institution as you might think. Just because many people might  not hold much stock in it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pay attention to good grammar. It might just make the difference between getting hired or promoted and being overlooked. The way you use language is part of your presentation. Make sure you’re making the right impression by avoiding these nine common mistakes:1. â€Å"Fewer† vs. â€Å"Less†You only use less when you’re talking about concepts, rather than countable things. â€Å"I want to be under less stress this year,† is fine, but be careful. â€Å"I want to take on less clients† is incorrect. You want to take on fewer clients.SEE ALSO:  Ban These 15 Words From Your Writing2. â€Å"It’s† and â€Å"its†The most embarrassing. Remember it’s is a contraction for â€Å"it is,† much like â€Å"can’t† for is a contraction for â€Å"cann ot.† The apostrophe is holding the place of the missing letter. Its is a possessive term. The cat ate its dinner.If you’re having a hard time, try to never use the contraction version it’s and just make a habit of always spelling out â€Å"it is† instead.3. Dangling modifiersThis is a toughie. Just try to remember that what comes after a comma usually describes  the clause immediately before it. â€Å"Smelling like a wet dog, I removed my sweater.† That’s you smelling like a wet dog, when you meant to say the sweater smelled. Try instead, â€Å"I removed my sweater, which smelled like a wet dog.†4. â€Å"Who† vs â€Å"Whom†An easy rule to remember- simply try completing the sentence in your head. â€Å"For whom are the flowers?† (â€Å"The flowers are for him.†) â€Å"Whom did you ask to the prom?† (â€Å"I asked her to the prom.†) You wouldn’t say â€Å"I asked she to the prom,† would you? But you would say, â€Å"Who did that?† (She or he did it.)5. Me, Myself IMyself is a reflexive pronoun. Use it only when you’ve already referred to yourself earlier in the sentence. â€Å"I made myself a sandwich† is okay, but â€Å"My mom and myself made a cake† is not. That would be â€Å"My mom and I made a cake.† And careful with me and I, as well. â€Å"My mom and me† did not make a cake, but â€Å"My dad is taking my mom and me to the park† works great.6. â€Å"Lie† vs â€Å"Lay†You’re not â€Å"going to lay down.† Lay always requires an object. You lay a book on the coffee table, but you lie down. Careful though, because lay  is also the past tense of lie. So you â€Å"lay down on the couch yesterday† though you will â€Å"lie on it† today. The past tense of lay, for reference, is â€Å"laid.†7. Irregular verbsThese sneak in all the time. For example, lended and upseted are not words (it’s left and upset). English is tricky that way. Especially with terminology in your career, be careful to be precise and not make these errors. A quick Google can usually sort you out if you’re in doubt.8. â€Å"Nor† vs â€Å"or†Only use nor when you’re already expressing a negative. â€Å"Neither my boss nor I understood the memo.† Or â€Å"my boss didn’t understand the memo- nor did I.† Otherwise, use or.9. â€Å"Then† vs â€Å"than†Just assume hiring managers will shred your resume on sight if you commit this sin. Remember,  than  is comparative: â€Å"I would rather be a hammer than a nail.† Then tells time: â€Å"We did this, then that.†

Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 19

Essay Example Scuba diving often assists in enabling shallow investigations. Earlier people used to restrain their breath while diving. In this way they used to hunt underwater creatures like fish. This was called free diving. Many competitions were also held around this theme. Accompanied with the technique of scuba diving the use of eco sounds helped in exploring the seabed. (Reed, 2009) Though men have interacted with the ocean since time immemorial, visual exploration of the seas were possible with the advent of scuba diving which made use of breathing apparatus to be carried for diving underwater. Helmet diving and diving bells in addition helped a diver to stay below the waters for long and explore the depths. These helped the scuba divers to adapt to the changes in the pressure and the physiology in order to hold back death. Thus scuba diving has a profound application in the world of marine science. The main idea is to carry self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA) instead of depending upon air pumped from the water surface (Bhootra, n.d., p.96). Using breath-holding processes these divers manage to remain underwater for a long time. Thus apart from recreation, scuba diving’s application in different fields of science related to the marine world makes it an indispensable part of science and technology in the topical time with an ever-expanding knowledge base. Studying this area would be interesting especially with the aim of understanding its application in the world of science and discoveries. Dr. Lamberstein who was the pioneer of scuba diving apparatus initially built the LARU (Lambertsen Amphibious Respiratory Unit) and undertook the first close circuit scuba dive in New York. 12 dives were undertaken and Dr. Lamberstein during one of the dives underwent an attack of oxygen toxicity. The instruments

Procurement Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Procurement - Essay Example Nike, Inc. is an American company which is engaged in development, manufacturing, design and worldwide marketing of apparel, accessories, footwear, equipment and services. The company has its headquartered in Oregon, United States. It was founded in 1964 as Blue Ribbon Sports. It is a major manufacturer of sports equipment which has achieved revenue of $ 24 billion in 2012. Nike also operates retail stores under the name Nike town. It has left mark in athletic shoe. Nike which views itself as a sporting wear has now expanded into fashion apparel business which produces high-priced casual clothing for young adults and teenagers. Nike as a brand has many distinct brands into their portfolio. Nike Brand which develops designs and sells athletic gear and sports casual products. Converse is another brand which markets, designs and distributes luxury shoes, apparel and accessories. Cole Haan designs, distributes and markets the handbags, luxury shoes and outwear. Nike Golf also markets, de signs apparel, footwear, accessories. Famous director Nicolai Fuglsig has directed a campaign named New â€Å"Possibilities† campaign which is inspired by â€Å"Just Do It† campaign which was debuted 25 years ago. By the â€Å"Just Do It â€Å"motto, the company is aiming at inspiring people to challenge them to maximum potential. The campaign features actors like Serena Williams, Andre Berto, Gerad Pique, LeBron James and Chris Pine. The â€Å"Possibilities† campaign wants to inspire people to be their best with challenges like Nike Fuel and Nike + Running. The campaign begins with a line like if one can run a mile, then one should run a race, a marathon or even outrun a movie star. Thus different challenges and scenarios emerge and each time they need to push their limits. This campaign shows people a way of setting their goals so as to think about their athletic potential and help them in achieving their goals through services, products and inspiration. Even

Arabic Culture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Arabic Culture - Essay Example Religious beliefs and traditions give ample freedom to the males in Muslim culture so that they can control or regulate the freedom of the Arabic women. â€Å"Koran says girls must stay home and that it is right to beat women if they disobey their husbands† (Chu). In other words, Koran undoubtedly gives the authority to men over women in Arabic culture. It is difficult for the Arabic females to engage in all types of activities as their men counterparts do. Driving is prohibited for Saudi women even though it is allowed in other Arabic states. â€Å"A Saudi woman sentenced to be lashed 10 times for defying the countrys ban on female drivers. The woman, named as Shaima Jastaina and believed to be in her 30s, was found guilty of driving without permission in Jeddah in July, 2011†(Jones). Even though the Saudi King interfered in the matter and removed the punishment of Shaima Jastaina, the above incident revealed the extent of oppression faced by women in Saudi Arabia and in other Arabic countries. No Arab women, especially the Saudi women, can go out without covering their entire body. It should be noted that in countries like America or Britain, women have the right to wear any clothes they like. In fact women in western countries cover their body less, compared to their male counterparts. Women in western countries take part in kind of social activities just like men whereas in Arabic culture, it is difficult for the women to enjoy such freedom. It should be noted that Arabic men can marry more than one girl and keep more than one wife at the same time. However, Arabic women do not have the right to keep more than one husbands at the same time. In other words, in Arabic culture, all the customs and norms were formulated to safeguard the interests of the male community whereas in other cultures, the interests of both the males and females are respected in equal measures. To conclude, the status of

The Consequence From The Ineffective Listening English Language Essay

The Consequence From The Ineffective Listening English Language Essay There are few common barriers to good and effective listening. One of them is,Knowing the answer. It means that you assume that you already have an idea on the content of the message before the speaker actually finishes it. In some situation, you might interrupt her or selfishly try to make the sentence complete for them. The worst thing is you interfere the speaker and say you are disagreeing with their opinion. It is rude because you are not letting others to finish up their sentences. This is the main factor that makes a discussion to end up without a decision and it is common happen when two team in an organization have their own idea and both not listening each other and stand on their own way. It can be said that you are not appreciating and not value the message send by the speaker to you by distracting the speaker before letting them to finish their sentences. Crucial component in good listening is showing respect to the speaker. Pre-judgement on what the speaker going to say or it can be said as closed mindedness contributes to listening barrier. Be open or receptive minded person is a characteristic of a good listener. Good listener will stretch his mind and looks for available chance to obtain new idea or insight rather than stick to existing idea or their own point of view. Other than that, trying to be helpful is another barrier in listening skill. Although we assume that it seems to be beneficial if we are trying to be helpful, but it turns into horrible situation when it come into listening. Its actually interferes effective listening. This is because the listeners is considering solving the speakers problem. The result is the listener misses the words throws or what actually message saying by the speaker. When walking, walk. When eating, eat., this is some proverb say in old Zen. This can be clearly stated that we need to put our full attention to anything that we are currently doing. It is worth stressing that the aim of good listening depends on how much attention we put on listening to receive the message sends by the speakers. Giving advice during speakers try to explain something which they experience may break the flow of conversation. Thus, it affects both parties by which the speakers did not pass the message accurately and the listeners did not get the exact content from the communication process. Messiah complex is one of the common problem faces by many people. It can well describe as we try to rescue or fix other people problem as a means of feeling fulfilled. This type of people usually not called as problem-solvers. Nevertheless, mannerism can be a huge obstacle to good listening. Trying to say something while listening will also reflect that you have made particular judgments about the message sender which is the speaker. Emotional distractions carry few percentages in effective communication. Early judgement by the listener can mean that the listeners does not have whole comprehended on the message though by the speakers. The true act of love and respect which you can offer is you give a person your 100% attention while listening. Listen and understand your team mate can empower the relationship between team members because human beings are such social animals. When the speakers starts to explain their long-term problem and you offer a facile or off-the-cuff solution and this would be inappropriate. This is because you might forget that the speaker may take into consideration your immediate solution long time before. Another significant barrier to good listening is some people feel that it is a sign of weakness when we agree or in the same line with the speaker during a heated conference. They feel induced to argue each point the speaker said even though if the listener inwardly agrees. The person who keeps arguing will wins the most point in a discussion. When we treat a discussion as a competition will be the biggest barriers to good listening. It prevents the listener from viewing an idea in difference prospective. It can be very frustrating on behalf of the speaker. This situation often we can see in an organization. When two teams try to defend their own opinion and idea, they tend to interfere when opposition team explaining their arguments. This makes an organization to rupture. A good listener just relies on listening. Any unnecessary motive will indirectly diminish the concentration of the listener. Trying to influence or impress the speaker is an example of ulterior motive. When a listeners have any other agenda rather than simply to understand what the speakers try to think and feel will not helping them to focus while listening. People can understand a language three or two times faster than any words they speak this is what been claim by psychologists. This shows that a listener has a lot of extra mental bandwidth or wide range of field to think about other things when listen to speaker. Spare few space or capacity to contemplate about what the content of message send by speaker will be a valuable characteristic of a good listener. During conversation process in an organization, an ulterior motive employee will try to impress the manager and will possibly make use of the spare capacity to start thinking of his next move. This type of employee will thin k what they need to say next or rebuttal when their manager finished with their sentences. The employee is not focusing on understanding the message send to them. Believing in language can be arduous barriers to an effective listening. In other word is, we tend to interpret some rarely used or double meaning words with unmatched meaning. Some people think that, language can be a guessing game. Both speaker and listener use language to surmise each other to think on the subject matter. Some words do have several meaning. When the speaker throws any words by assuming that listener must understand it, thus the fallacy on the speaker side. It is not practical to think that definition of a word can be sent live from the dictionary to the listener through the word. Why didnt you understand, I already said it perfectly and clearly?, this is an example of fallacy which a speaker may do during conversation. Of course, the simple-minded assumption here is words that other people understand can be understand by others too. These can be applicable, when particular word containing absolute meaning. This is because each word gives unique effect to a person. The consequence is the person will try to relate the word based on their unique experience. Few differences can be tolerated but it will cause misunderstanding when we try to interpret most of the word in our own definition and experience. It will become a severe problem when senior worker use any word or term in conversation which based on experience with their junior worker. If the junior worker does not have the same experience as the senior worker, then the words is pointless. The worst case is the junior worker may silently make the word match with a difference experience. There are few strategies can be taken to create a good listening. A good listener will listen not only to what is being said, but also to what is left unsaid or only partially said. Listening involves observing body language and noticing inconsistencies between verbal and non-verbal messages. For example, if someone tells you that they are happy with their life but through gritted teeth or with tears filling their eyes, you should consider that the verbal and non-verbal messages are in conflict, they maybe dont mean what they say.   Listening requires you to concentrate and use your other senses in addition to simply hearing the words spoken.  Listening is not the same as hearing and in order to listen effectively you need to use more than just your ears. 1. Stop Talking If we were supposed to talk more than we listen, we would have two tongues and one ear. Mark Twain. Dont talk, listen.   When somebody else is talking listen to what they are saying, do not interrupt, talk over them or finish their sentences for them.   Stop, just listen.   When the other person has finished talking you may need to clarify to ensure you have received their message accurately. 2. Prepare Yourself to Listen Relax.  Focus on the speaker.  Put other things out of mind.   The human mind is easily distracted by other thoughts whats for lunch, what time do I need to leave to catch my train, is it going to rain try to put other thoughts out of mind and concentrate on the messages that are being communicated. 3. Put the Speaker at Ease Help the speaker to feel free to speak.   Remember their needs and concerns.   Nod or use other gestures or words to encourage them to continue.   Maintain eye contact but dont stare show you are listening and understanding what is being said. 4. Remove Distractions Focus on what is being said: dont doodle, shuffle papers, look out the window, pick your fingernails or similar. Avoid unnecessary interruptions.   These behaviours disrupt the listening process and send messages to the speaker that you are bored or distracted. 5. Empathise Empathy is a selfless act, it enables us to learn more about people and relationships with people it is a desirable skill beneficial to ourselves, others and society.   Ã‚  Phrases such as being in your shoes and soul mates imply empathy empathy has even been likened to a spiritual or religious state of connection with another person or group of people. I call him religious who understands the suffering of others. -Mahatma Gandhi Try to understand the other persons point of view.   Look at issues from their perspective.   Let go of preconceived ideas.   By having an open mind we can more fully empathise with the speaker.   If the speaker says something that you disagree with then wait and construct an argument to counter what is said but keep an open mind to the views and opinions of others. 6. Be Patient A pause, even a long pause, does not necessarily mean that the speaker has finished.   Be patient and let the speaker continue in their own time, sometimes it takes time to formulate what to say and how to say it.   Never interrupt or finish a sentence for someone. 7. Avoid Personal Prejudice Try to be impartial.   Dont become irritated and dont let the persons habits or mannerisms distract you from what they are really saying.   Everybody has a different way of speaking some people are for example more nervous or shy than others, some have regional accents or make excessive arm movements, some people like to pace whilst talking others like to sit still.   Focus on what is being said and try to ignore styles of delivery. 8. Listen to the Tone Effective speaking has nothing to do with the outdate concept of elocution where everyone was encouraged to speak in the same correct manner.   Rather, effective speaking concerns being able to speak in a public context with confidence and clarity, while at the same time reflecting ones own personality. Volume and tone both add to what someone is saying.   A good speaker will use both volume and tone to their advantage to keep an audience attentive; everybody will use pitch, tone and volume of voice in certain situations let these help you to understand the emphasis of what is being said. 9. Listen for Ideas Not Just Words You need to get the whole picture, not just isolated bits and pieces.   Maybe one of the most difficult aspects of listening is the ability to link together pieces of information to reveal the ideas of others.  Ã‚   With proper concentration, letting go of distractions, and focus this becomes easier. 10. Wait and Watch for Non-Verbal Communication Gestures, facial expressions, and eye-movements can all be important.   We dont just listen with our ears but also with our eyes watch and pick up the additional information being transmitted via non-verbal communication. Do not jump to conclusions about what you see and hear. You should always seek clarification to ensure that your understanding is correct. Non-verbal communications include  facial expressions, the  tone and pitch  of the voice,  gestures  displayed through  body language (kinesics)  and the physical  distance between communicators (proxemics). These non-verbal signals can give clues and additional information and meaning over and above spoken (verbal) communication.

Free Hamlet Essays: Loneliness in Hamlet :: Shakespeare Hamlet Essays

Loneliness in Hamlet Everyone faces loneliness and despair in their lives. In today’s world people may feel misunderstood or isolated. In Hamlet, much of the loneliness and suffering he endures is due to the secrets and betrayals he is forced to keep. There were many instances where Hamlet felt alone and upset but he could not share his pain with anyone else. This was a factor that added to his suffering. We can also find many examples of Hamlet’s despair due to betrayal from his so called friends. All of these factors not only contributed heavily to his depression, but caused his overall demise. Throughout the play, Hamlet discovers who is loyal to him and who his real enemies are. Right away, Hamlet dislikes his uncle. He is already distraught over losing his father but on top of that he has to deal with the marriage of his beloved mother to his uncle, who he perceives as being cruel and cold-hearted. "A little more than kin, and less than kind." (I; ii; 65) This is Hamlets first line in the play, which clearly demonstrates the extreme hatred Hamlet has towards his uncle. Hamlet also feels intense betrayal from his mother. He trusted her and feels like she has disregarded any love she ever felt towards her former husband. " Mother, you have my father much offended." (III; iv; 11) " A bloody deed-almost as bad, good mother, As kill a king, and marry with his brother. (III; iv; 29-30). Hamlet is revolted by the idea of his uncle and his mother married. Hamlet also encounters loneliness and despair from Ophelia. As part of Hamlet’s "plan" to put on an antic disposition he distances himself from Ophelia who he is actually in love with. He does this by insulting her and convincing her that he is mad and never had any true feelings for her. "I loved you not" (III; i; 117) "Get thee to a nunnery......Marry a fool, for wise men know well enough what monsters you make of them" (III; i; 135-137) Hamlet also kills Polonius (by mistake thinking it was Claudius). Both of these incidents cause Ophelia a great deal of grief and so she kills herself. Hamlet is of course devastated because he never actually meant to hurt her. "I loved Ophelia. Forty thousand brothers could not with all their quantity of love make up my sum.