GRAMMAR QUIZ


Which of the following sentences would be more appropriate in a business communication?
The answers and explanations follow the quiz.
1a. Josh is wishy-washy.
1b. Josh is indecisive.
2a. It was agreed upon by the editorial department that Maria would lead all meetings
with the design team for the purpose of avoiding a “too many cooks spoil
the broth” situation.
2b. In order to avoid confusion, the editorial department delegated Maria to lead all
meetings with the design team.
3a. Your supervisor informed the CEO that you do not support the company's
spending plans for the upcoming fiscal year.
3b. The CEO has been informed by your supervisor that you are not on board with
the spending plans that have been made for the company's upcoming fiscal year.
4a. It has been discussed at great length by the board members that vacation time be
increased from two weeks to three for employees who have been with the company
for three years.
4b. The board members have seriously discussed increasing vacation time from two
weeks to three for employees who have been with the company for three years.
5a. We have been referring to this policy.
5b. This is the policy to which we have been referring.
Answers
1b. is the better choice because the language is less colloquial.
2b. is the better choice because it is written in the active voice, and is less wordy and colloquial.
3a. is the better choice because it is written in the active voice, is less wordy, and contains
no colloquialisms.
4b. is a better choice because it states the idea more clearly using fewer words, and uses
the active voice.
5a. is a better choice because it is not wordy.

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