Using Familiar Words Using Familiar Words
1. We must terminate all deficit financing 1. We must terminate all deficit financing =We must stop all deficit financing.
=We must stop all deficit financing.
2. We must endeavor to correct this problem by expediting delivery. 2. We must endeavor to correct this problem by expediting delivery. =We must try to correct this problem by delivering quickl
=We must try to correct this problem by delivering quickly.y. 3. A proportionate tax consumes a
3. A proportionate tax consumes a determinate apportionment of one’s monetary flowdeterminate apportionment of one’s monetary flow.. =A certain amount of income is taken as tax.
=A certain amount of income is taken as tax.
4. Business has an inordinate influence on governmental operations. 4. Business has an inordinate influence on governmental operations. =Business has a huge effect on governmental operations.
=Business has a huge effect on governmental operations. 5. It is imperative that consumers be unrestrained in d
5. It is imperative that consumers be unrestrained in determining their preferences.etermining their preferences. =It is important that consumers have many choices.
=It is important that consumers have many choices. 6. Mr. Sanchez terminated Kevin’s employment as
6. Mr. Sanchez terminated Kevin’s employment as a consequence of his ineffectual performance a consequence of his ineffectual performance =Mr. Sanchez fired Kevin because of his poor performance.
=Mr. Sanchez fired Kevin because of his poor performance. 7. Our expectations are that there will be
7. Our expectations are that there will be increments in commodity value.increments in commodity value. =We expect that prices of commodity will go up.
=We expect that prices of commodity will go up.
8. Can we ascertain the types of customers that have a predisposition to utilize our instant-credit 8. Can we ascertain the types of customers that have a predisposition to utilize our instant-credit offer?
offer?
=Can we know the t
=Can we know the types of customers that do not want to ypes of customers that do not want to utilize the instant-credit offer?utilize the instant-credit offer? 9. The preponderance of
9. The preponderance of the businesspeople we consulted envisions signs of the businesspeople we consulted envisions signs of improvement fromimprovement from the current siege of economic stagnation.
the current siege of economic stagnation. =The majority of the business people we
=The majority of the business people we consulted saw signs of improvement from the currentconsulted saw signs of improvement from the current siege of economic stagnation.
11. Recent stock acquisitions have accentuated the
11. Recent stock acquisitions have accentuated the company’s current financial crisis.company’s current financial crisis. =
=Recent stock purchases have highlighted the Recent stock purchases have highlighted the company’s current financial crisis.company’s current financial crisis. 12. Mr. Coward will serve as intermediary in the pending labor-management parley. 12. Mr. Coward will serve as intermediary in the pending labor-management parley. = Mr. Coward will act as an agent in the labor-management agreement.
= Mr. Coward will act as an agent in the labor-management agreement. 13. Ms. Smith’s idiosyncrasies supply adequate
13. Ms. Smith’s idiosyncrasies supply adequate justification for terminating her employment. justification for terminating her employment. =Ms. Smith was fired for her unusual behavior.
=Ms. Smith was fired for her unusual behavior.
14. Requisites for employment by this company have been enhanced. 14. Requisites for employment by this company have been enhanced. =The company increased the requirement for the jobs.
=The company increased the requirement for the jobs. 15. The unanimity of current forecasts is not inco
15. The unanimity of current forecasts is not incontrovertible evidence of impending businessntrovertible evidence of impending business acceleration.
acceleration.
=Though everybody is predicting growth in business; we
=Though everybody is predicting growth in business; wecan’t be sure of that.can’t be sure of that. 16. People’s propensity to consume is insatiable.
16. People’s propensity to consume is insatiable. =People always want more.
=People always want more.
17. The company must desist from its deficit financing immediately. 17. The company must desist from its deficit financing immediately. =The company must cut ou
=The company must cut out the loss immediately.t the loss immediately.
18. This antiquated merchandising strategy is ineffectual is contemporary business operation. 18. This antiquated merchandising strategy is ineffectual is contemporary business operation. =Outdated marketing policies will not work in modern d
=Outdated marketing policies will not work in modern days.ays.
19. Percentage return on common stockholders’ equity averaged 23.1 for the year. 19. Percentage return on common stockholders’ equity averaged 23.1 for the year. =The shareholders got 23.1 percent interest on average.
=The shareholders got 23.1 percent interest on average. 20. The company’s retained earnings last year
20. The company’s retained earnings last year exceeded $ 2,500,000. exceeded $ 2,500,000. =The company earned more than $2,500,000 last year.
Selecting Concrete Words Selecting Concrete Words
22. We have found that young men are best for this work. 22. We have found that young men are best for this work.
=Our research showed that men between the age 18-30 are best for this work. =Our research showed that men between the age 18-30 are best for this work. 23. She makes good grades.
23. She makes good grades. =
=She got A grade.She got A grade.
24. John lost a fortune in Las
24. John lost a fortune in Las Vegas.Vegas. =John lost $10,000 in Las Vegas. =John lost $10,000 in Las Vegas.
25. If we don’t receive the goods soon, we will cancel. 25. If we don’t receive the goods soon, we will cancel. =
=If we don’t receive the goods in 2 If we don’t receive the goods in 2 days, we will cancel.days, we will cancel. 26. Profits last year were exorbitant.
26. Profits last year were exorbitant. =Last year profit was $5,000,0000. =Last year profit was $5,000,0000.
27. Some years ago she made good money. 27. Some years ago she made good money. =5 years ago she made a profit of $20,000. =5 years ago she made a profit of $20,000. 28. His grade on the aptitude test was not high. 28. His grade on the aptitude test was not high. =His grade on the aptitude test was below =His grade on the aptitude test was below 80.80. 29. Here is a product with very little markup. 29. Here is a product with very little markup. =Here is a product with10% markup.
=Here is a product with10% markup.
30. The cost of the online subscription was reasonable. 30. The cost of the online subscription was reasonable. =The online subscription cost $12.
=The online subscription cost $12.
31. We will need some new equipment soon. 31. We will need some new equipment soon.
Limiting use of passive voice Limiting use of passive voice
32. Our action is based on the assumption that the competition will be taken by surprise. 32. Our action is based on the assumption that the competition will be taken by surprise. =We assume that the competition will be a surprise.
=We assume that the competition will be a surprise. 33. It is believed by the
33. It is believed by the typical union member that his typical union member that his or her welfare is not considered to beor her welfare is not considered to be important by management.
important by management.
=The typical union member believes that
=The typical union member believes that his or her welfare is not important to the his or her welfare is not important to the management.management. 34. We are serviced by the Bratton Company.
34. We are serviced by the Bratton Company. =Bratton Company serves us.
=Bratton Company serves us.
35. Our safety is the responsibility of the management. 35. Our safety is the responsibility of the management. =
=It is management’s responsibility to keepIt is management’s responsibility to keepus safe.us safe.
36. You were directed by your supervisor to complete this assignment by noon. 36. You were directed by your supervisor to complete this assignment by noon. =Your supervisor directed you to complete this assignment by noon.
=Your supervisor directed you to complete this assignment by noon. 37. It is believed by the
37. It is believed by the writer that this company policy is wrong.writer that this company policy is wrong. =The writer believes that the compan
=The writer believes that the company policy is wrongy policy is wrong 38. The union was represented by Cecil Chambers. 38. The union was represented by Cecil Chambers. =The Cecil Chambers represent the union.
=The Cecil Chambers represent the union. 39.
39. These These reportreports are s are preparprepared bed by the y the sales sales people people eveverery y FrFrididayay.. =Salespeople prepare these reports every Friday.
=Salespeople prepare these reports every Friday.
40. Success of this project is the responsibility of the research d
40. Success of this project is the responsibility of the research department.epartment. =The research department is responsible for the success of this project. =The research department is responsible for the success of this project.
41. Our decision is based on the belief that the national economy will be improved. 41. Our decision is based on the belief that the national economy will be improved.
Avoiding Camouflaged words Avoiding Camouflaged words
42. It was my duty to make a determination of the damages. 42. It was my duty to make a determination of the damages. =It was my duty to determine the damages.
=It was my duty to determine the damages.
43. Harold made a recommendation that we fire Mr.Schultz. 43. Harold made a recommendation that we fire Mr.Schultz.
=Harold recommended us to fire Mr. Schultz. =Harold recommended us to fire Mr. Schultz.
44. We will make her give an accounting of her activities. 44. We will make her give an accounting of her activities. =We will get an account of h
=We will get an account of her activities.er activities.
45. We will ask him to bring about a change in his work routine. 45. We will ask him to bring about a change in his work routine. =We will ask him to change his work routine.
=We will ask him to change his work routine.
46. This new equipment will result in a saving in maintenance. 46. This new equipment will result in a saving in maintenance. =This new equipment will save maintenance cost.
=This new equipment will save maintenance cost. 47. Will you please make an
47. Will you please make an adjustment for this defect?adjustment for this defect? =Will you please adjust for this defect?
=Will you please adjust for this defect?
48. Implementation of the plan was effected by crew. 48. Implementation of the plan was effected by crew. =The crew implemented the plan.
=The crew implemented the plan.
49. Acceptance of all orders must be made by the chief. 49. Acceptance of all orders must be made by the chief. =The chief should accept all orders.
=The chief should accept all orders.
50. A committee performs the function of determining the
50. A committee performs the function of determining the award.award. =A committee determines the award.
=A committee determines the award.
51. Adaptation to the new conditions was performed easily by all new personnel. 51. Adaptation to the new conditions was performed easily by all new personnel.
53. The president tried to effect a
53. The president tried to effect a reconciliation of the two groups.reconciliation of the two groups. =The president tried to reconcile the two groups.
=The president tried to reconcile the two groups.
Selecting Precise Words Selecting Precise Words
54. Performance during the fourth quarter was (average) (mediocre). 54. Performance during the fourth quarter was (average) (mediocre).
a. average
a. average — — middle groundmiddle ground b. mediocre
b. mediocre — — not so good, a more negative meaningnot so good, a more negative meaning
55. This merchandise is (old) (antique) (secondhand) (preowned) (used). 55. This merchandise is (old) (antique) (secondhand) (preowned) (used).
a. old
a. old — — has existed for a long timehas existed for a long time b. antique
b. antique — — implies valueimplies value c. secondhand
c. secondhand — — not new, not as valuable as new, possibly shabbynot new, not as valuable as new, possibly shabby d. preowned
d. preowned — — more neutral (lmore neutral (less negative) than “secondhand”ess negative) than “secondhand” e. used
e. used — — not new, of less value than new, not so negative as secondhand but more negative thannot new, of less value than new, not so negative as secondhand but more negative than “preowned”
“preowned”
56. The machine ran (continually) (continuously). 56. The machine ran (continually) (continuously).
a. continually
a. continually — — occurring in rapid, but not unbroken, succession (probably not intended in thisoccurring in rapid, but not unbroken, succession (probably not intended in this sentence)
sentence)
b. continuously
b. continuously — — occurring without interruption, unbrokenoccurring without interruption, unbroken
57. The mechanic is a (woman) (lady) (female). 57. The mechanic is a (woman) (lady) (female).
a. woman
a. woman — — an adult member of the female sexan adult member of the female sex b. lady
b. lady — — a woman with genteel (perhaps old-fashioned) mannersa woman with genteel (perhaps old-fashioned) manners c. female
c. female — — a general reference to any member of the female sex, including all agesa general reference to any member of the female sex, including all ages
58. His action (implies) (infers) that he accepts the criticism. 58. His action (implies) (infers) that he accepts the criticism.
a. implies
a. implies — — suggests, hintssuggests, hints b. infers
b. infers — — derives by reasoning (will not work in this derives by reasoning (will not work in this sentence)sentence)
59. Her performance on the job was (good) (topnotch) (excellent) (superior). 59. Her performance on the job was (good) (topnotch) (excellent) (superior).
a. good
a. good — — generally favorablegenerally favorable b. topnotch
b. topnotch — — of the highest quality (informal expression)of the highest quality (informal expression) c. excellent
c. excellent — — very good (formal expression)very good (formal expression) d. superior
d. superior — — better than excellent (formal expression) better than excellent (formal expression)
60. On July 1 the Company will (become bankrupt) (close its doors) (go under) (fail). 60. On July 1 the Company will (become bankrupt) (close its doors) (go under) (fail).
a. become bankrupt
61. The staff (think) (understand) (know) the results were satisfactory. 61. The staff (think) (understand) (know) the results were satisfactory.
a. think
a. think — — believe believe b. understand
b. understand — — believe, with some supporting reasoning believe, with some supporting reasoning c. know
c. know — — have valid supporting evidencehave valid supporting evidence
62. Before buying any material, we (Compare) (Contrast) it with competing products. 62. Before buying any material, we (Compare) (Contrast) it with competing products.
a. Compare
a. Compare — — note the similarity or dissimilarity betweennote the similarity or dissimilarity between b. Contrast
b. Contrast — — the state of being strikingly different from something elsethe state of being strikingly different from something else
63. I cannot (resist) (oppose) her appointment. 63. I cannot (resist) (oppose) her appointment.
a. resist
a. resist — — keep from doing something (probably not keep from doing something (probably not the best word for this sentence)the best word for this sentence) b. oppose
b. oppose — — be against be against
64. Did you (verify) (confirm) these figures? 64. Did you (verify) (confirm) these figures?
a. verify
a. verify — — prove to be true prove to be true b. confirm
b. confirm — — give new assurance of the truth of something (probably not intended here)give new assurance of the truth of something (probably not intended here)
65. This is an (effective) (effectual) (efficient) plan. 65. This is an (effective) (effectual) (efficient) plan.
a. effective
a. effective — — producing the desired results producing the desired results b. effectual
b. effectual — — refers to producing desired results, but regards it as adequately fulfilling a purposerefers to producing desired results, but regards it as adequately fulfilling a purpose c. efficient
c. efficient — — highly capable, productive, good return for the cost/energy spenthighly capable, productive, good return for the cost/energy spent
Using Proper Idiom Using Proper Idiom
66. The purchasing officer has gone
66. The purchasing officer has gone in search for a substitute product.in search for a substitute product. “. . . in
“. . . in search of . . .”search of . . .”
67. Our office has become independent from the Dallas office. 67. Our office has become independent from the Dallas office. “. . . independent of . . .”
“. . . independent of . . .”
68. This strike was different than the one in 2000. 68. This strike was different than the one in 2000. “. . .different from. . .”
“. . .different from. . .”
69. This letter is equally as bad. 69. This letter is equally as bad. “. . . is equally bad
“. . . is equally bad . . . . . .””
70. She is an authority about mutual funds. 70. She is an authority about mutual funds.
72. Our truck collided against the wall. 72. Our truck collided against the wall. “. . . collided with . . .”
“. . . collided with . . .”
73. We have been in search for a qualified supervisor since August. 73. We have been in search for a qualified supervisor since August. “. . . in search of a . . .”
“. . . in search of a . . .”
74. Murphy was equal to the task. 74. Murphy was equal to the task. “. . . equal for . . .”
“. . . equal for . . .”
75. Apparently, the clock fell off the shelf. 75. Apparently, the clock fell off the shelf. “. . . fell from . .
“. . . fell from . . .”.”
Avoiding Discriminatory Language Avoiding Discriminatory Language
76. Any worker who ignores this rule will h
76. Any worker who ignores this rule will have his salary reduced.ave his salary reduced. =Workers who ignore this rule will have their salaries reduced. =Workers who ignore this rule will have their salaries reduced. 77. The typical postman rarely makes
77. The typical postman rarely makes mistakes in delivering his mail.mistakes in delivering his mail. =The typical letter carrier rarely makes mistakes in delivering the mail. =The typical letter carrier rarely makes mistakes in delivering the mail. 78. A good executive plans his daily activities.
78. A good executive plans his daily activities. =Good executives plan their daily activities. =Good executives plan their daily activities.
79. The committee consisted of a businessman, a lawyer, and a lady doctor. 79. The committee consisted of a businessman, a lawyer, and a lady doctor. =The committee consisted of a business executive, a lawyer, and a doctor. =The committee consisted of a business executive, a lawyer, and a doctor. 80. A good secretary screens all telepho
80. A good secretary screens all telephone calls for her boss and arranges his schedule.ne calls for her boss and arranges his schedule. =
=A good secretary (or administrative assistant) screens all telephone calls and arranges the A good secretary (or administrative assistant) screens all telephone calls and arranges the boss’sboss’s schedule.
schedule.
81. An efficient salesman organizes his calls and
81. An efficient salesman organizes his calls and manages his time.manages his time. =Efficient salespeople organize their calls and manage their time. =Efficient salespeople organize their calls and manage their time.
82. Two representatives of our company attended the conference: a Hispanic engineer and one of 82. Two representatives of our company attended the conference: a Hispanic engineer and one of our younger managers.
83. Three people applied for the job, including two well-educated black women. 83. Three people applied for the job, including two well-educated black women. =Three women applied for
=Three women applied for the job, one whitthe job, one white and two black. e and two black. (Or, Three women (Or, Three women applied for tapplied for thehe job.)
job.)
84. Handicap parking spaces are strictly for use by the crippled. 84. Handicap parking spaces are strictly for use by the crippled. =Handicap parking spaces are strictly for use b
=Handicap parking spaces are strictly for use by those with physical impairments.y those with physical impairments. 85. He is one of the best gay designers in the city.
85. He is one of the best gay designers in the city. =He is one of the best de
