17 Common Mistakes of Writing Business Letters and Examples

WritingSkills.my.id - According to a survey which was conducted to 420 companies in the United States, the employees stated that skill of writing letters in business world is the most needed skill since the employees spent most 30% of their time for writing. From the writing, it can be assumed that 80% of them still needed correction. Actually, the rule in writing letters requires the use of standard English, which is simple, respectful, correct in grammar, and not too casual.

Common Mistakes in Writing Business Letters

And these are common mistakes or error in writing business letters:

1. Sentence Structure

1. Sentence fragments, example: Because she works Wednesday night. Client waiting reception area.

2. Run-on sentences, examples:
a. Go to the cafeteria we need some cream we need some coffee.
b. He came to the meeting he brought the report.

3. Comma splices, example: Gerrard prepared a summary for the clients, Sophie presented it.

2. Mechanical

1. Misspelled words, example: "mite" instead of "might".

Also read: 47 Frequently Misspelled Words in English & Mnemonic Devices.

2. Incorrect or missing punctuation, example: dont What are you going to do.

3. Extra capitalization (or none), example: she stopped for printer paper at the Office-supply store.

Also read: Capitalization Rules in English & Examples.

3. Grammatical

1. Incorrect verb tenses, example: He starts a new project yesterday.

2. Shifts in tense, example:
a. He gets a signature and delivered the package.
b. She talked to James and chats with Michael.

3. Incorrect subject-verb agreement, example: Robert and his co-worker is going to lunch.

4. Unclear pronoun references, example: I listened to Lucy's and Margaret's opinions and I agreed more with hers.

5. Missing words, example: Rudy the tractor.

4. Word Usage

Improper or poor word or symbol choices that interfere with communication, example:
a. Word "there" instead of "their".
b. Word "to" instead of "too".
c. Symbol "&" instead of "And".

Also read: English Sound-Alike Words List & Meaning

5. Style/Tone/Language

Rude or casual language not consistent with standard business English used in written correspondence, example: messing up the manager's mind.

Also read articles about Business Letter Style.

6. Organization

1. Little or no organization; unclear focus or logic. The main points of the writing may be random or grouped in a disorganized fashion; the details of the writing may be disjointed or not grouped together logically. Also read: Style in Writing Business Letter: Organization & Examples.

2. Incorrect transition, example: "She said she left early to get to the meeting on time so she arrived late" instead of "...but she arrived late".

3. Simple transition, example: words such as "then" and "also".