November 2016 - Word Counter Blog

Former vs Latter with Examples

Here’s a nice easy one to remember the difference between the words former and latter. Do you see the “for” in “former”? Use it to tell you the thing you’re talking about came before another thing that you mentioned.

Do you see the “latte” in “latter”? That means you should have a cup of coffee! OK. Kidding, but it sounds a lot like “later” doesn’t it? That tells you that the thing you’re referring to came later than, or after something else.

Former and Latter in Action

Let’s make these words jump through some hoops!

“It was raining, and there was lightening in the air. Mary didn’t mind the former problem, but the latter one troubled her because she was afraid of thunder.”

“You need to have a lot of determination to get through college, and you have to be ready to do a lot of hard work. If I were to rate these two, I’d say the latter point is the most important to your success.”

“If I had to choose between good looks and intelligence, I think I’d go for the former advantage!” (Silly you!)

“I love John Keats and William Shakespeare, but the latter seems to have more applicability to today’s word.”

Sometimes, more than two things will be mentioned, with “latter” used to denote what is last. Using “former” in this context may be confusing because it doesn’t really tell you which of the items that came first you’re referring to.

“There were apples, pears, oranges and grapes on the table, but it was the latter that made Joan’s mouth water!”

“There were apples, pears, oranges and grapes on the table, but the former of these fruits seemed the most appealing.” See what I mean? We can assume Joan found the apples appealing, but with a list such as this, we can’t be sure. It would be better to just say what we meant and get it over with! Joan found the apples appealing. The End.

Should You Use Former and Latter?

To tell you the truth, using words like “former” or “latter” can make your reader go back to reread the first part of a sentence, and that isn’t a great strategy. It’s cumbersome! And even if you change things around and warn people to look out for the former or latter point before stating them, it sounds a little pompous. Even in business writing, coming across as a person who is easy to understand and communicate with is an advantage.

So you could start by warning people to look out for the first or second thing you say, but there are easier and more comfortable ways to do it. For instance:

“Which of these options do you prefer, the former, or the latter?”

Versus

“Choose one of these two options.”

“Which of these two options would you prefer, the first or the second?”

There’s nothing actually wrong with using “former” and “latter,” but to be honest with you, I never do. It’s rather archaic, even though the two words are still in use, and there just seem to be easier ways to say things. I mean, when’s the last time you use either of these words in a conversation with a friend? I thought so!

Words to read and understand, and probably not to use.

There are a lot of words out there that are important for you to understand, but that you may never use in your own writing. Maybe it’s just me, but using these words sounds like it was written in the 19th century.

“Mary and Joan entered the room, with the latter nervously clutching her handbag.”

The following seems to flow so much better:

“Mary and Joan entered the room; Joan was nervously clutching her handbag.”

But when your teacher makes a note saying you should discuss the latter point in greater detail, it’s helpful knowing which one he or she meant!

What Do You Think?

We know that the “former” is the person, thing or idea that came first, and we know that the “latter” is the last person, thing or idea to be mentioned, but do you think we ought to use these words? Do you use them? I’d be curious to know!

Other Words for “Said”

Direct speech can be difficult to smoothly navigate when you’re writing, but if you’re writing a novel or short story, dialogue is almost certainly going to happen at some point. When there is a conversation, the most common thing to do is use “said” when a person speaks:

“Are you crazy?” said Mary.

“Some of the time,” said John.

“Well,” said Mary, “I wish you would give me some warning before you do things like that!”

“I’ll try,” said John.

Then Mary leaned in close and said, “Oh shucks! I love you anyway!”

That’s a whole lot of “said” right there, and it gets repetitive pretty fast, doesn’t it? It becomes essential to have alternatives for the word “said” if you want your writing to sound decent. There are several ways this can be done.

Skip the Bits Outside the Quotation Marks Altogether!

If a conversation involves two people (dialogue), your reader will quickly see the two people are talking. That means that you can introduce your speakers, and then continue the conversation without saying who said what on the assumption your reader will be able to work out who is speaking, at least for a few lines.

Describe Actions Before or After the Quotation Marks

For example: “Oh shucks! I love you anyway!” Mary cuddled closer with a sigh.

In our example, we can clearly see Mary was doing the talking. If John says something next, he’ll get a new paragraph to himself, emphasizing the change of speaker. Voila! Conundrum avoided. “Saying” words have been completely skipped, but we still know who was talking.

Use Words Other than “Said”

Depending on context, there are a whole bunch of alternative words for “said” we can choose. Perhaps Mary’s romantic utterance was:

Whispered
Breathed
Murmured
Sighed
Purred
Blurted
Gurgled
Chuckled
Mumbled
Warbled
Simpered

Her opening, “Are you crazy?” could have been:

Asked (a little weak, but there it is)
Exclaimed
Cried
Yelled
Squealed
Screamed
Shrieked
Squeaked
Shouted
Bellowed
Roared
Snapped
Wailed
Gasped
Laughed
Giggled
Tittered
Complained
Objected
Protested
Sobbed
Groaned
Grumbled
Scolded

What’s interesting is all these words imply mood much better than “said” does. Was Mary objecting to John’s actions in a good-humored, frightened or angry way? Your choice of words can tell your reader what her tone of voice was.

And when she told John she loved him anyway, was she feeling romantic or amused? Did she blurt it out unexpectedly, or was she being coy and flirtatious? How did John feel when he responded to her initial protestation? Was he serious or light-hearted?

Changing Moods

Look at how these words change the mood of the conversation:

“Are you crazy?” sobbed Mary.

“Some of the time,” muttered John.

“Well,” Mary complained, “I wish you would give me some warning before you do things like that!”

“I’ll try,” John promised.

Then Mary leaned in close and murmured, “Oh shucks! I love you anyway!”

You should have gained a sense of how the person speaking felt by the way they said it. Now see how changing the “talking” words can change the entire scene:

“Are you crazy?” giggled Mary.

“Some of the time,” chuckled John.

“Well,” Mary laughed, “I wish you would give me some warning before you do things like that!”

“I’ll try,” John grinned.

Then Mary leaned in close and purred, “Oh shucks! I love you anyway!”

Ok, so it’s not great literature. I’d probably have avoided introducing the speaker from about line 3, reintroducing them if the mood changed, or the conversation started to get too long to follow, but you get the idea. Example one is a lovers’ tiff, while example two is a couple having fun together. That’s a big difference, and “said” just wouldn’t have conveyed that.

List of “Said” Words According to Mood

Angry, Tense

Snapped
Snarled
Growled
Barked (lots of doggy words so far)
Bellowed (and a moose)
Roared (and a lion – this one could also imply triumph)
Grumbled
Complained
Objected
Remonstrated
Huffed (this one is just mildly exasperated)
Nagged
Blustered
Thundered (and some weather)
Screamed
Rasped
Worried
Yelled
Screamed
Shouted
Shrieked
Hollered (a bit of volume in these last few!)
Seethed
Ranted
Fumed

Happy, Amused, Positive

Laughed
Chuckled
Giggled
Grinned
Guffawed
Gurgled
Joked
Quipped
Teased
Cheered
Crowed

Certain, Sure, Confident

Declared
Asserted
Announced
Insisted
Assured
Argued
Bragged
Boasted
Stated
Reassured
Preached
Commented
Remarked
Confirmed
Vowed
Promised
Observed

Sarcastic, Creepy

Leered
Sneered
Jeered
Drawled
Taunted
Cackled
Mocked

Asking or Asking for

Begged
Pleaded
Requested
Questioned
Queried
Probed
Asked (of course)
Inquired
Entreated
Cajoled
Wheedled

Unsure

Faltered
Stammered
Stuttered
Hesitated
Guessed
Blurted
Trembled
Speculated

Tones other than the ones we’ve already covered (especially the loud ones)

Whispered
Murmured
Hissed
Trilled
Sang
Sniffed
Snivelled
Mewled
Moaned
Purred
Sobbed
Groaned
Moaned
Grunted

And we’re just scratching the surface…here are a few more:

Volunteered
Lied
Interrupted
Interjected
Exclaimed
Remonstrated
Finished

And as for “finished,” I realize this list is far from actually being finished. “Said” is all very well, but with so many more expressive words to choose from, you probably don’t need it! Do you have a favorite word to use other than “said” when you write that’s not listed above? Let us know and we’ll add it to our list.

How to Write a Common Application Transfer Essay

how to write a college transfer application

First, boot up your computer. Now write.

Well, actually, it’s a little more complicated than that, but it’s still not as difficult as you might imagine. This essay differs from your first college essay, because it has slightly less of a focus on your personality. Why do you have to write this essay? There is no secret answer. The college wants to know why you’re motivated to attend that particular school rather than just carrying on at your current one.

What’s Your Reason?

“I hate my current college,” is definitely not a good answer. You should never say anything negative about your current school. Chances are, you have valid reasons for a transfer even if you weren’t quite happy, and it’s important to highlight these rather than complain.

For example, class sizes at your current school might have been too big, so your professors were unable to pay any attention to your needs. Don’t voice the criticism. Instead, say something like this, “I was impressed with the smaller, more tightly-knit classes in X College, and I believe I would benefit from the enhanced opportunity for interaction with teachers and fellow students.”

Perhaps you’ve decided to change your major, and your current college doesn’t offer the courses you want to take. You may have decided to get some academic credits at a community college because it’s cheaper, and now you want to move to one of the big league colleges to benefit from its reputation as a leading learning institution. Maybe you’ve been studying out of town but would like to be nearer to old friends and family, or you might have fallen in love with a certain college because the professors are famous experts in their field.

The reasons why you think going to a new college is likely to be a good move will probably take up quite a lot of your essay, but even if your reasons are simple, they should be clearly written, be positive, and be valid. Your previous college isn’t working out for some reason. Why do you think that transferring offers a solution?

Should You Mention Academic Difficulties?

If some of your grades have been less than stellar, you should explain why this happened, but remember to take responsibility. Blaming others for poor performance doesn’t show you to be a responsible and mature student. If you found a subject confusing or difficult, or you lost your cool in the exam room and blanked out, say so. Then explain what you have done to overcome the problem. This shows you’re determined to succeed, and you won’t let anything stand in your way.

What Are Your Objectives?

When we have just graduated from high school, we often aren’t quite sure what we want to do with our lives. After a year or two at college, however, we have a much clearer picture. As you did in your first college admission essay, you will want to write what you want to achieve in life and how you plan to do this. The people who read your essay want to know whether their college will meet your needs and whether you’ll fit in OK.

Tips from the Experts

Here’s what many of the experts on transfer aplications say you should and should not do:

You SHOULD

Read instructions carefully, stick to deadlines and remain within the recommended word count.
Structure your writing well, with a thesis, supporting information, and conclusion.
Stay focussed. You have to say the most important things about your transfer in a limited number of words.
Back up your reasoning. What happened to make you think in a certain way? Did someone say something to inspire you? Did something significant happen that caused you to form an idea?
Show what you want by putting it in context, rather than just saying what you want.
Grab attention with a compelling first paragraph.
Proofread carefully, and if possible, get someone in the know to double-check.

You SHOULDN’T

Regurgitate hackneyed phrases just because you think they will impress. They won’t.
Dish up information that is fully covered elsewhere in your application.
Fake it till you make it or tell lies. Be yourself.
Wander away from the point you are trying to make.
Use “big” words because you think it’s impressive. Keep it simple.
Do it in a hurry at the last moment. You could blow your chance.

Need More Help? Here’s an Outline

1. Use an anecdote to show how you became interested in your field of study.

2. Talk about the positive experiences you had at college so far.

3. Say why you feel you would benefit from a move to the new college. Back this up with examples and your own reasoning.

4. What do you want from your new college? How will it help you to succeed? What do you ultimately want to achieve?

5. Tie it all together with a concluding paragraph.

The Best Ways to End a Letter

When it comes to ending letters, most of us already know about using “Yours Sincerely” and “Yours Faithfully.” When I was at school, we were told to sign off friendly letters with the former, and business letters with the latter, but nowadays, opinions seem to have changed. Many people say “Yours Sincerely” is too formal, even for business purposes, and since email seems to have its own etiquette, everyone is a bit confused as to the best way to sign off a letter or email.

Most people seem to feel not offering any salutation at the end of a message is a trifle too abrupt. Personally, I don’t mind, but I have come across people who are offended when I fail to use a closing phrase, so I’m a little more cautious these days.

With a little help from experience and Uncle Google, I’ve tracked down a whole bunch of tips on how to close a letter. As I suspected, it’s all about context.

Formal Business Letters

I still like “Yours Faithfully” in this context, especially when you’re writing a formal letter. However, it does seem a little stilted for email sign-offs, even formal ones.

After doing a bit of reading, I found most people don’t mind “Regards” or “Best Regards.” I can’t sincerely offer “best” regards to absolutely everyone. Surely some people have to get second-best regards, so I settle for “Regards” and hope for the best.

There are forms of the “Regards” sign-off that irritate me, but not everyone else, so presumably it’s acceptable. “Warmest Regards” or “Warm Regards” strikes me as slightly patronizing and insincere, especially when it comes from someone who can’t possibly have any feelings, warm or otherwise, about me. As for “Kind Regards,” I may not be in need of kindness, and there are better ways to show it if I am. I certainly wouldn’t use any of these for a job application letter, even in email format. Thanking the reader for considering my application seems courteous, and I’d follow it with the traditional “Yours Faithfully,” because it’s a safe bet.

Informal and Semi-Formal Business Emails

Intra and inter-office email is the norm these days. Your boss will email you an instruction, a colleague will ask you for help via email, or you may have received something that’s helpful to you. Sometimes you deal with emails from suppliers’ reps with whom you have a friendly business relationship, or you may be dealing with regular clients in a relatively friendly and informal context.

You can be a lot more relaxed now, but not too relaxed. Apparently, “Cheers” is becoming quite popular, and some use “Warmly,” “Best” or “Very Best.” I will be unashamedly biased here. None of these is particularly appropriate. “Cheers” is plain silly, and sounds like you’re about to hit the bar rather than the boardroom, “Warmly” just sounds wrong, and the last two could at least have been followed by a “Regards.” It just looks lazy.

“Thank You,” “Thanks” and “Thanks Again” proved to be surprisingly controversial. Although most people agreed they were fine if you were thanking someone for something they’d already done, many said thanking someone after asking them for something was patronizing.

I disagree. I used to have a colleague who used to sign off “Thanking You in Advance,” and I used to think it terribly clever, if stuffy. I still think if you know someone is going to work because of what you asked them to do, it’s polite to thank them. It’s your call.

You can be reasonably creative with informal business mails. There’s nothing wrong with “Congratulations on clinching that deal!” or “Wishing you every success in your new venture.” If relationships are friendly enough, and the occasion is appropriate, a heartfelt “You’re an angel, thanks a million,” may be appropriate. That’s the key. Keep it appropriate. “xxoooxx” is NOT appropriate for a business letter.

Friendly Letters

Now that we’ve discussed the idea of sign-offs being appropriate, you’ll understand what I mean when I say these need to be appropriate too. You wouldn’t sign a letter to your Aunty June “xxxoooxxx,” if you’ve only met her twice in your life and she’s finally sent you a birthday present for the first time. “Yours Sincerely” is perfect for this distant contact.

Your letter is presumably not all about you, so personalizing your greeting shows you care. What are you wishing this person? “Hope you have a great European holiday,” “Happy to hear you’re settled. Enjoy it!”, “Thinking of you,” and “Wishing you luck with the exams!” are only a sampling of your options. Perhaps you have something to thank them for. “Thanks for everything,” may be unoriginal, but at least it shows appreciation. Your mom, on the other hand, may settle for nothing less than “Lots of love,” “Tons of love,” or other greetings conveying enormous amounts of love.

The days of signing off friendly letters to people you know well with “Yours Sincerely” have been left behind together with chalk boards and other educational antiquities. Be creative! Be sincere! Give your friend, family member or romantic interest your very best wishes for whatever situation they’re in or express how you feel about them. Do you want to give your friend a virtual hug? “Hugs” is a lovely sign-off, at least I think so…

(Photo courtesy of Martin)

The Best Words to Describe Yourself in an Interview

Your job interview places you in quite a dilemma. You can’t be overly modest and put yourself down, but you also can’t brag like crazy, or you’ll end up looking egotistical. You’ll be asked a lot of questions about yourself. Which words should you use?

Recruiters do like to see a touch of modesty. There’s something about a know-it-all that sets anyone’s teeth on edge. The company will also want to know how you’ll fit in with bosses and colleagues. They’ll be looking for qualitative information that isn’t to be found in your resume. Here are some statements that recruiters love:

“I am eager to learn.”
“I am determined.”
“I never give up until I get something right.”
“I get on well with all kinds of people.”
“I like to keep a positive attitude.”
“Hard work doesn’t bother me. I actually like it.”
“I enjoy facing challenges.”
“I like everything I do to be well-organized.”

Of course, if any of these statements don’t apply, you shouldn’t use them. If you get the job, people will soon see you weren’t being truthful. The above statements apply to any job and they indicate you’ll be a cheerful, hardworking employee. But there are a few extras you can mention in specific types of jobs.

Best Words for Customer-Service, Sales or Marketing Interviews

Let’s be frank, not everyone is suited for customer service. No matter what company is interviewing you, they will want to know you’ll be good for their image. That means looking neat, but not overdressed, having good posture, being pleasant, and being well-spoken. Try these lines to describe yourself if questions arise where you can utilize them.

“I can keep my cool under pressure.”
“I don’t easily lose my temper.”
“I’m good at multi-tasking.”
“I enjoy meeting new people every day.”
“I love making people’s day.”
“I believe customers are the most important part of any business.”
“If necessary, I can be assertive without being rude.”

Do you get where this is going? Recruiters want to know you can handle having two people waiting for you while the phone is ringing, and another customer is being unreasonable and rude, while still being unruffled.

They also want to know you’re an organizer. Can you keep track of several tasks for specific customers in a disciplined way? For example, a sales rep may get a call, have to get information, call back, record the order, get the order dispatched, correctly invoiced, and call the customer again to follow up. They must do this for several customers at once, so things can get pretty chaotic unless they’re smart organizers.

In marketing, they also want to know you’re people-oriented and organized, but they’ll want to know more about the creative aspects too. Try these options for describing yourself:

“I love turning great ideas into reality.”
“I’ve done a few freelance projects, and I’ve brought my portfolio.”
“I find people and their opinions fascinating.”
“I really enjoy reading about and learning from marketing success stories.”

Best Words for Accounting or Administrative Interviews

Apart from the things we looked at in the generic statements, there are some extra statements recruiters like.

“I’m a perfectionist.”
“Organizing data so that it makes sense is rewarding for me.”
“I’m a methodical person.”
“I like working systematically.”

As you can see, you’re demonstrating a different set of qualities. You like getting things done in a calm and organized way. You crunch away at your work according to a specific system, and you like being part of that system because it results in useful, condensed information of some sort.

Best Words for Management Interviews

I’m going to be brutally honest here. Most of us do not walk out of college into highly-paid managerial jobs, and if you don’t know what to say at the interview, you’re not ready. Besides, there are more kinds of managers than you can shake a stick at, and each of them requires different personal qualities.

I’ve interviewed a lot of people for minor managerial posts, and all I can say is it depends on your skill, experience, expectations (salary, etc.) and whether you’ll fit into the organization’s management style. How you dress for your interview matters a lot. Play safe and stick to understated, yet smart clothing. Ladies, not too much makeup or perfume please; my apologies if this offends you, but this is the real world.

Be true to Yourself

If you don’t feel you can honestly say any of these things, don’t. You must be able to back your statements up with evidence from your life. “I’m very determined. For example, I….”

You should also ask yourself whether you’ll be happy in a job where you have to pretend to be someone other than who you really are and whether you’ll even be able to do it. You probably won’t. What do you get? Short service and a bad reputation are the two things no future employer is going to like. Look to a field you’ll enjoy and excel at instead.