Common Business Letter Writing Mistakes: A Guide for Learners of Business Communication

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I wrote the following business letter writing mistakes to help students improve their mechanics of writing as well as the substance of their letter. By emphasizing the usual business letter writing mistakes, students will be more careful with the way they spell, combine, and use words.

Contraction/Pronoun Confusion

it’s vs its – The contraction it’s  is shortened it is while its is a possessive pronoun.                                                 Example of the contraction it’s: It is red.  (It’s red.)
Example of possessive pronoun its:  Its red color makes the bag look expensive. (The red color refers to the color of the bag. It belongs to the bag.)
he’s vs his – The contraction he’s is short for he is or he has while his is a possessive pronoun.
Example of the contraction he’s: He is tall. (He’s tall) /  He has been sick. (He’s been sick.)
Example of the possessive pronoun his:  His letter is impolite.

your vs you’re – Your is a possessive adjective (it means something belongs to you) and you’re is the contraction of  you are.
Example of your: Your letter is short.Your being present today matters a lot to me. (Your should be used and not you because the possessive adjective your should be followed by a gerund.
Example of you’re:  You are always updated.
there vs their – There is an adverb of place and their is a possessive determiner.
Example of there: We went there last week.
Example of their:  They are concerned with their grades.

Preposition Confusion

1. I am a third year student from Bachelor of Science in tourism. –> I am a third year student of Bachelor of Science in tourism.
2. Visit us of our website. –> Visit us on our website or visit our website.
3. Looking forward for your response. –> I look forward to your response or I look forward to hearingfrom you.
4. It focuses in strengths.–> It focuses on strengths.
5. It depends in your answer. –> It depends on your answer.
6. On August 2017 –> In August 2017

The Bare Infinitive Verb Confusion

The bare infinitive has no “to” before the main verb. This includes verbs such as like, better, etc.
  1. You help the students to become better… —> You help the students become better…
  2.  Thank you for letting your players to join…–> Thank you for letting your players join…
  3. It will help us to understand the problem. –> It will help us understand the problem.

Transitive Verb Confusion

Transitive verbs are verbs used in a sentence with a direct object. The verb should always be followed by a direct object.
  1. You may call to our office at.–> You may call our office at…(call also needs an object)
  2. regarding on our situation. –> regarding our situation (regard as a verb is used with object)
  3. requesting for my leave…–> requesting a leave… (also needs an object)

Transitive form vs Intransitive Form/ Future Passive Form/ Passive Infinitive Form Confusion

1. Base on the information you provided –> Based on (base transitive versus base intransitive, check the meaning of the verb before using it, it depends on the context)
Example 1: Please base your answer on the checklist I gave you. In this example base is transitive, it needs a direct object.
Example 2:  Based on the given criteria, you won in the contest. In this example, base is in passive form.
2. will be interpret –> will be interpreted (future passive form) (object + will + be+ past participle)
3. hasn’t attend –> hasn’t attended (present perfect tense)
4. to be follow –> to be followed (passive infinitive which form is to be+ past participle)
Example: to be completed or to be developed
5. will be solve –> will be solved (future passive form) (object + will + be+ past participle)

Article Confusion

  1. about meeting —> about the meeting
  2.  like star –> like a star
  3. request a autograph –> request an autograph
  4. have a coffee –> have some coffee or have a cup of coffee
  5.  an information –> some or pieces of information

Syntax confusion

  1. Taytay Rizal Brgy. Dolores –> Brgy. Dolores, Taytay, Rizal

Conjunction Confusion

  1. I would like to know if how much –> I would like to know how much

Spelling Confusion

  1. knowledgable –> knowledgeable
  2.  sincerly –> sincerely
  3. Trully yours, –> Truly yours,
  4. Your sincerely –> Yours sincerely,
  5. Baranggay –> Barangay
  6. head ache –> headache
  7. commitee –> committee
  8. recieving –> receiving
  9. unforgetable –> unforgettable
  10. complementary close–> complimentary close

Capitalization Confusion

  1. i –> I
  2. Sincerely Yours, –> Sincerely yours,
  3. english –> English
  4. Officer –In- Charge –> Officer-in-Charge

Punctuation Confusion

  1. Dear Sir Castillo –> Dear Sir Castillo:
  2. July, 11, 2017 –> July 11, 2017
  3. Cainta Rizal –> Cainta, Rizal
  4.  Ms Reyes –> Ms. Reyes
  5. Lot 14 Blk16 –> Lot 14, Block 16
  6. Your‘s sincerely –> Yours sincerely,
  7. Respectfuly, yours –> Respectfully yours,

Vocabulary Confusion

1. I have learned a lot from it and now I have more opportunity… –> I have gained valuable knowledge and relevant job experience which can give  me more opportunities.
2. The utensil is so oily. —.> The kitchen utensils are greasy.
3. I hope there’s immidiate action. –>  I look forward to your immediate/urgent attention on this matter. I would appreciate your prompt action on this matter.
4. I want to say my request should be done soon. –> I would appreciate if you grant my request.
5. The time is wasted. –> I hope we can prevent wasted time.
6. I haven’t received a call for a week. –> It has been a week and I haven’t received a phone call yet.
7. I hope you can response to my letter.–> I look forward to hearing from you.
8. Please consider my complain. –>  Please consider this as a formal complaint. (complain – verb, complaint – noun)
9. goes missed –>  You missed the application deadline.
10. The food has lapsed. –>  This is to complain about food spoilage in the canteen. You may also use the following words related to food: proper food handling, preventing food contamination, food safety, ensuring freshness and safety of food.            
11. no tissue in the toilet —>  lack of toiletries or toilet articles  

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