THE AMA HANDBOOK OF BUSINESS WRITING phần 5

228 The AMA Handbook of Business Writing Hyphenated Numbers Consider the following hyphenation tips when working with numbers: Written-out numbers of less than one hundred are hyphenated. Example: thirty-three Hundreds and thousands are not hyphenated. Example: six hundred thousand When modifying a noun, numbers are hyphenated, as are any compound adjectives. Example: five-thousand-foot mountain Example: three-foot rule Fractions of less than one are hyphenated. Example: one-third Example: three-quarters Mixed numbers are not hyphenated between the whole number and the fraction, both when written as words and figures. Example: one and one-half Example: 1 1/2 Do not write one part of the fraction as a numeral and the other as a word. Incorrect: 1 fourth-inch bolt Correct: one-fourth-inch bolt Section 2 The Business Writer’s Alphabetical Reference 229 Hyponyms Hyponyms are words that are in categories of other words. Example: Red, scarlet, and crimson are all hyponyms of red. Example: Red, green, and blue are all hyponyms of color. Hypophora Hypophora is a figure of speech where the writer or speaker asks a question and then answers it. Example: “What is George Bush doing about our economic problems? He has raised taxes on people driving pickup trucks and lowered taxes on people riding in limousines.”—Bill Clinton Hypothetical Questions A hypothetical question is a question that is based on assumptions instead of facts and that is intended to elicit an opinion. Hypothetical questions are often asked of politicians and during court trials. Hysteron Proteron Hysteron proteron is a literary technique that calls attention to an important idea by placing it first and then having a secondary idea direct attention back to the first. Hysteron proteron involves an inversion of the normal sequence of events for effect or humor. Example: Put on your shoes and socks, but not necessarily in that order. I Idiolect Personal language, including the words people use and other characteristics of how they speak or write, is called their idiolect. Idiolect is similar to dialect; however, dialect relates to the way a group of people speak or write. Idioms An idiom is a phrase that is easily understood by the speakers of a particu-lar language; however, the meaning is different from the normal meaning of the words. Example: A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Example: a chip on your shoulder Example: a drop in the bucket i.e., e.g. See e.g., i.e. If, When, Whether If is often used in casual speaking. If is used when there is a condition. Incorrect: If you don’t know if [should be whether] the front door is locked, you better get up and check it. Correct: If you don’t change the oil in your car, your engine won’t last long. 230 Section 2 The Business Writer’s Alphabetical Reference 231 Whether should be used in formal writing. When discussing two possible alternatives, whether should be used. Example: It’s important to find out whether your guests prefer red or white wine. Whether is used when there is uncertainty about the possible outcome. Do not use whether or not if there is uncertainty about the outcome. Only use whether or not to mean under any circumstances. When is used when the passage of time is involved in the condition. Example: You can finish your homework when we finish discussing this matter. Illicit, Elicit See Elicit, Illicit. Illusion, Allusion See Allusion, Illusion. Illustrations See Figures. I, Me, Myself Speakers and writers are often confused on when to use I, me, and myself, especially in sentences involving other people. Use the word I when speaking of yourself as the subject of a sentence. Example: I live north of Atlanta. 232 The AMA Handbook of Business Writing Use the word me when someone else is doing something to or for you. Example: John threw the football to me. Use the word myself only when you are doing something to yourself. Example: Rather than taking the train, I’m going to drive myself to work today. When another person is added to a sentence and there is a choice between I, me, or myself, one good test is to remove the other person and see if the sen-tence makes sense. Incorrect: Jennifer and me live north of Atlanta. [Remove “Jennifer”: Me lives north of Atlanta.] Correct: Jennifer and I live north of Atlanta. Incorrect: John threw the football to Jennifer and I. [Remove “Jennifer”: John threw the football to I.] Correct: John threw the football to Jennifer and me. Incorrect: Rather than taking the train, I’m going to drive Jennifer and me to work today. [Remove “Jennifer”: I’m going to drive me to work today.] Correct: Rather than taking the train, I’m going to drive Jennifer and myself to work today. Immanent, Eminent See Eminent, Imminent, Immanent. Immigrate, Emigrate See Emigrate, Immigrate. ... - tailieumienphi.vn