Write for Business - Blog

As an adjective, right means "righteous, correct, or appropriate"; as a noun, it means "that which is just or legal." Write means "to inscribe or compose." A wright is someone who builds or repairs something. Rite is a ceremonial act.

Write the memo again, but this time use the right form.

Get the wheelwright to repair the spokes.

The initiation rites need to be reviewed.

(From Write for Business, page 237, and Proofreader's Guide PDF, page 49)

Respectfully means "showing a high regard for"; respectively means "each in the order mentioned."

The young man respectfully shared his views with his father.

Awards were given to Mira, John, and Roland respectively.

(From Write for Business, page 237, and Proofreader's Guide PDF, page 49)

Don't use either of these phrases, because they are redundant. The words because and why both repeat the idea of cause unnecessarily. Instead, use reason…that or simply because.

The reason I'm late is that I missed the train.

I'm late because I missed the train.

(From Write for Business, page 237, and Proofreader's Guide PDF, page 49)

Real is usually used as an adjective meaning "authentic." Do not use it in place of the adverbs very or really.

"Real life seems to have no plot."
- Dame Ivy Compton-Burnett

Raul's forecasts turned out to be very [not real] accurate.

The controller was not really in control of that situation.

(From Write for Business, page 237, and Proofreader's Guide PDF, page 49)

In formal writing, quote should be used as a verb; quotation is always a noun.

The quotation used in your report was very effective, but in your next report, you should also quote what your foreman said to you.

(From Write for Business, page 237, and Proofreader's Guide PDF, page 49)