Grammar Tips: Learn to Use "Well" Correctly

Boomers tend to be impressed by good grammar. It's not that they know every rule. They don't. No one does.

But you will harm your "image" if you slip up with an obvious mistake.

For example, understanding when to use "well" isn't an obvious mistake per se. But those that know their grammar will see such misuse as a major faux pas (see below.)

You can also sink your career with bad grammar. Here’s a list of some problem areas.

Like

Avoid using like as a filler word (Like, we’re going out tonight, and… like, uh, we’ll meet people later.) It might be popular among some, but it’s considered a sign of bad grammar.

Good/Well

We often hear athletes say in their interview: We did “good.” Sorry, incorrect. Good is an adjective, so you cannot do good, or live good. You need the adverb well. So you can do well, and live well.

The exception: An adjective can follow sense-verbs and be-verbs. You can therefore feel good, look good and even be good.

Anyways, Irregardless

Both words are common errors, although acknowledged as non-standard English. Anyways is non-standard spelling for anyway. The extra negative “ir” in “Irregardless” cancels the “-less” to make the word mean regard.

Use the words Anyway, and Regardless to ensure grammatical correctness.

© CanStockPhoto/maximult

Why the Word ”Interactivity” is Misleading

By Roger HB Davies

The generations are changing the language. Obvious. But as generations overlap in the workforce, some words merit closer attention.

For example, the words ” interactivity” and “connected.”

Gen-Yers see the words (and skill sets) as related to technical “connections,” e.g., social media and staying in touch via technology.

Boomers use the words very differently. They “connect” with people through face-to-face exchanges. They “interact” by talking and listening – on the phone, in client meetings, with each other.

© Canstockphoto

Two sets of skills, both important, both quite different and covered by two potentially misleading words.

Gen-Yers see “interactivity” as both a technical word and an “interpersonal” word. Boomers don’t understand this. Their spin on “interactivity” speaks to their bias towards and face-to-face communication.

Who’s right?

Gen-Y Style Communication Profile

What you see is what you get.

Sometimes this directness can be your downfall because people don’t always understand it. I personally value it. I’m married to someone who is incredibly direct, so it doesn’t phase me at all. But I wasn’t brought up with that directness.

I’ve learned to admire it because it brings to the table one really important thing that managers value: I can ask you for your opinion and know you’ll give it to me. I may not like the opinion, but I will usually hear the truth.

You can deal with that. At least the truth is out in the open.

Some people tell you what they think you want to hear. If you’re the CEO, that’s the worst thing to want.

I remember the first person who mentored me in life. One day he gave me a piece of advice that really upset me. Doesn’t really matter what it was , but it went “pow” in me. He said to me later, “You will find many people around who will pat you on the back and say what a great guy you are, but you will find very few people who will actually tell you the truth.”

What your generation brings to the table is a directness in communication, which all organizations need to understand and value.

If you find people are misinterpreting your directness, explain yourself.

Say to your boss, “Please understand that I’m direct and upfront in my communication. I’m not being rude, I’m just telling you what’s on my mind.”

© Canstockphoto/ Feverpitched

Gen-X Communication Style Profile

This is the in-the-middle group, probably brought up by boomer parents.

Gen-Xers have some insights that can help Gen-Yers – and Boomers.

Be aware that their perspective is half-way to being a boomer, half way to Gen-Yer. A foot in both camps.

Gen-Xers can provide that half-way advice to help you Gen-Yers on your career path.

Their challenge is that they can all too easily see both perspectives. They will give you a choice.

Only you can make that choice. So take control of your career.

No one else will.

Baby Boomer Communication Style Profile

In summary, boomers tend to be more analytical. They respond well to the written word. Many, though not all, like one-on-one communication.

They also respond well to the following:

• Concise written summaries
• Concise verbal presentations
• Results
• Lists/bullet points
• Punctuality

Generational Communications

A dynamic exists in the workforce that hasn’t happened before. It’s the dynamic between the generations.

You have probably figured out which generation you’re in. If you go to the internet, you’ll see that different experts use slightly different dates of birth to define each generation. You’ll just have to decide which one you most relate to.  

Be aware that these three groups have a lot of influence in any organization.

 

Their perspectives appear to be very different.

Our communications research has profiled the differences.

Briefly, boomers tend to be mainly analytical.

Gen-X more interactive.

Gen-Y more direct.

More on this in the coming weeks.