Category: Grammar

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

30 April 2024

What are some examples of Americanisms that can be avoided when using quotation marks in Australian English

When using quotation marks in Australian English, it’s important to avoid certain Americanisms to adhere to local conventions. Here are some examples of Americanisms related to the use of quotation marks that should be avoided: By avoiding these Americanisms, writers can ensure their use of quotation marks aligns with Australian English standards, maintaining clarity and consistency in their writing. Citations:[1] https://www.eliteediting.com.au/avoiding-americanisms-when-using-australianbritish-english/[2] https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/84365609.pdf[3] https://www.abc.net.au/education/interesting-words-and-americanisms-in-our-language/13953302[4] https://www.theguardian.com/media/mind-your-language/2010/nov/26/americanisms-english-mind-your-language[5] https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/8274467/clear-as-math-what-counts-as-proper-australian-english/[6] […]

30 April 2024

How to use quotation marks correctly in Australian English

In Australian English, the correct use of quotation marks follows specific rules that differ slightly from American English conventions. Here’s a detailed guide on how to use quotation marks correctly in Australian English: Single vs. Double Quotation Marks Australian English typically uses single quotation marks (‘ ‘) for quoting direct speech, titles of certain works, or drawing attention to a word. Double quotation marks (” […]

30 April 2024

In Australian grammar rules, does the full stop come before single quote marks, or after?

In Australian grammar rules, the placement of the full stop in relation to single quote marks depends on the context of the quotation. If the quotation is a complete sentence, the full stop comes before the closing single quote mark. However, if the quotation is part of a larger sentence, the full stop comes after the closing single quote mark[1][3][4][8]. Citations:[1] https://www.writerscentre.com.au/blog/qa-quotes-and-punctuation-evil-or-not/[2] https://www.macquariedictionary.com.au/punctuation-guide/[3] https://www.eliteediting.com.au/avoiding-americanisms-when-using-australianbritish-english/[4] https://www.capstoneediting.com/blog/what-is-the-difference-between-single-and-double-quotation-marks[5] […]