{"id":44,"date":"2025-08-06T16:46:42","date_gmt":"2025-08-06T14:46:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/themes.getmotopress.com\/coachzee-teacher\/?p=44"},"modified":"2025-09-17T12:08:24","modified_gmt":"2025-09-17T10:08:24","slug":"grammar-myths-that-hold-back-your-business-english-part-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/naturallyenglish.nl\/nl\/business\/grammar-myths-that-hold-back-your-business-english-part-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Grammar Myths That Hold Back Your Business English (Part 2)"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In Part 1, we tackled some of the most common grammar myths\u2014like whether you can start a sentence with And<\/em>, or end one with a preposition. (Spoiler: you can.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But there are more. And they\u2019re just as persistent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s keep going.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Myth 6: \u201cI\u201d is always more correct than \u201cme\u201d<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The myth:<\/strong> You should always say \u201cJohn and I\u201d<\/em>, never \u201cJohn and me.\u201d<\/em>
The truth:<\/strong> It depends on the sentence role. \u201cI\u201d<\/em> is a subject; \u201cme\u201d<\/em> is an object.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u2705 John and I are presenting tomorrow.<\/em>
\u2705 The client met with John and me.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Grammar tip:<\/strong> Remove the other person\u2019s name to check:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

I am presenting.<\/em>
The client met with me.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

If it sounds wrong without the other name, it\u2019s probably wrong with it too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Myth 7: You must never split an infinitive<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The myth:<\/strong> You shouldn\u2019t place a word between to<\/em> and a verb (e.g. to boldly go<\/em>).
The truth:<\/strong> Splitting infinitives is perfectly acceptable\u2014and often clearer or more natural.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u2705 We aim to clearly communicate our goals.<\/em>
\u2705 She decided to gradually reduce her hours.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Grammar tip:<\/strong> A split infinitive places an adverb between to<\/em> and the verb (to clearly communicate<\/em>). It\u2019s not a mistake\u2014it\u2019s a choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Myth 8: \u201cWhich\u201d and \u201cthat\u201d are interchangeable<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The myth:<\/strong> You can use which<\/em> and that<\/em> however you like.
The truth:<\/strong> In formal writing, that<\/em> introduces essential information; which<\/em> adds extra detail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u2705 The report that she wrote was excellent.<\/em> (essential)
\u2705 The report, which she wrote last week, was excellent.<\/em> (extra info)<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Grammar tip:<\/strong> If the sentence still makes sense without the clause, use which<\/em> (with commas). If not, use that<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Myth 9: You should avoid repeating words<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The myth:<\/strong> Repeating words is bad style.
The truth:<\/strong> Repetition can aid clarity\u2014especially in business writing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u2705 Our strategy focuses on growth. Growth in new markets, growth in talent, and growth in innovation.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Grammar tip:<\/strong> Repetition is a rhetorical tool. Use it intentionally to reinforce key ideas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Myth 10: Longer sentences sound more professional<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The myth:<\/strong> Complex, multi-clause sentences show intelligence.
The truth:<\/strong> Long sentences often confuse. Shorter ones are clearer and more impactful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u2705 We reviewed the data. The results were clear. Action is needed.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Grammar tip:<\/strong> Vary your sentence length. Don\u2019t sacrifice clarity for complexity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

So what\u2019s the takeaway?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Grammar myths can make us second-guess ourselves. But when we understand the rules\u2014and when to bend them\u2014we write with more confidence, clarity, and impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And that\u2019s what Business English is really about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Coming up in Part 3:<\/strong>
We\u2019ll look at even more myths\u2014like whether \u201cthey\u201d can be singular, if contractions belong in presentations, and why \u201chopefully\u201d isn\u2019t as wrong as some people think.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thanks for reading,
Stuart<\/strong><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In Part 1, we tackled some of the most common grammar myths\u2014like whether you can start a sentence with And, or end one with a preposition. (Spoiler: you can.) But there are more. And they\u2019re just as persistent. Let\u2019s keep going. Myth 6: \u201cI\u201d is always more correct than \u201cme\u201d The myth: You should always say \u201cJohn and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4507,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-44","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-business"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t