Category: Grammar and Spelling

28 December 2024

To and too

Lee discusses the common confusion between the words ‘to’ and ‘too’, providing a simple trick to help remember the correct usage. It emphasises the importance of developing writing habits and eliminating overused words for clearer, more impactful communication

2 May 2024

Communicating effectively in business: The Aussie guide to getting your yakka across

Special report from Darren Hill (or ‘DH’ as he prefers to be known) Here are a couple of examples of how DH takes mere words and turns them into art: In the realm of business, ‘having a good chinwag’ isn’t just about nattering over a cuppa. It’s about getting your point across clear as day, whether you’re spruiking ideas in a boardroom or crafting a […]

1 May 2024

What are some online resources to improve my writing in Australian English?

Here are some key online resources to improve your writing in Australian English: The key is to utilize a variety of these online tools and resources to systematically improve your Australian English writing skills. Consistent practice and feedback are essential. Further reading: [1] https://australianonlinecourses.com.au/10-easy-ways-boost-writing-skills/[2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7vQ5nGKDg8[3] https://www.studiesinaustralia.com/Blog/study-tips/tools-to-help-improve-your-academic-english[4] https://ielts.com.au/australia/prepare/article-top-10-tools-to-improve-your-written-english[5] https://www.plainenglishfoundation.com

1 May 2024

What are the twenty worst mistakes to make when writing Australian English if you have never visited nor understand Australia?

Based on my experience having lived in both England and Australia, and having many North American business communicators as friends, the 20 worst mistakes to make when writing Australian English if you have never visited nor understand Australia are: Further reading: [1] https://wordsofworth.org/au/articles/common-australian-english-misspellings/[2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7vQ5nGKDg8[3] https://www.eliteediting.com.au/avoiding-americanisms-when-using-australianbritish-english/[4] https://www.stylemanual.gov.au/grammar-punctuation-and-conventions/spelling[5] https://davidbrewsterwriter.com/blog/2014/1/14/color-or-colour-are-you-writing-your-english-right

30 April 2024

Ten rules for writing in Australian English

When writing in Australian English, it’s essential to understand and apply specific rules that distinguish it from other forms of English, such as American or British English. Here are ten good rules to follow: By adhering to these rules, you ensure that your writing is not only correct in terms of Australian English standards but also clear, engaging, and effective. Tools to help you include […]

30 April 2024

What are some common Americanisms that have crept into Australian English?

Some common Americanisms that have crept into Australian English include: These Americanisms reflect the influence of American culture and language on Australian English, often through media exposure and the global dominance of American English[1][3][4]. Citations:[1] https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/let-every-new-word-bloom-20110812-1iqtx.html[2] https://www.reddit.com/r/AskAnAustralian/comments/12q8t3t/what_are_some_americanisms_younger_people_in/[3] https://www.babbel.com/en/magazine/australians-love-american-words[4] https://www.abc.net.au/education/interesting-words-and-americanisms-in-our-language/13953302[5] https://www.smh.com.au/national/australian-english-isn-t-being-taken-over-by-americanisms-but-it-is-changing-20210729-p58e2f.html[6] https://www.eliteediting.com.au/avoiding-americanisms-when-using-australianbritish-english/[7] https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/8274467/clear-as-math-what-counts-as-proper-australian-english/[8] https://www.thinkswap.com/au/vce/english-language/year-12/americanisms-and-their-effect-australian-english

30 April 2024

How can I avoid using Americanisms in my writing when writing in Australian English?

To avoid using Americanisms in your writing in Australian English, you can follow these practical steps: By consistently applying these guidelines, you can effectively minimize the use of Americanisms in your writing and ensure that your text adheres to Australian English standards. Citations:[1] https://www.casita.com/blog/main-differences-between-aussies-and-brits-englishes[2] https://www.speakmoreclearly.com/english-pronunciation-tips/american-english-accent-vs-australian-english-accent/[3] https://ielts.idp.com/indonesia/about/news-and-articles/article-australian-vs-british-vs-american-english/en-gb[4] https://blog.e2language.com/australian-english-vs-american-english-vs-british-english/[5] https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/let-every-new-word-bloom-20110812-1iqtx.html[6] https://www.babbel.com/en/magazine/australians-love-american-words[7] https://www.abc.net.au/education/interesting-words-and-americanisms-in-our-language/13953302[8] https://www.agencymavericks.com/australian-english-vs-british-english-vs-american-english/[9] https://www.abc.net.au/education/learn-english/australian-vs-american-spelling/11244196[10] https://www.eliteediting.com.au/avoiding-americanisms-when-using-australianbritish-english/[11] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy-bd5AC-Ms[12] https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/8274467/clear-as-math-what-counts-as-proper-australian-english/[13] https://www.thinkswap.com/au/vce/english-language/year-12/americanisms-and-their-effect-australian-english[14] https://www.smh.com.au/national/australian-english-isn-t-being-taken-over-by-americanisms-but-it-is-changing-20210729-p58e2f.html[15] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oouPqmLbYro[16] https://quadrant.org.au/magazine/2019/03/the-serious-decline-of-the-common-language/[17] https://www.reddit.com/r/australia/comments/198fm7q/americans_cant_write_australian_dialogue/[18] https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/2613124[19] https://thekicker.substack.com/p/i-fought-americanisms-and-americanisms