Copywriting Agency - Is it 'c' or 's'?

Is it ‘c’ or ’s’?

English is renowned for its quirky, often logic-defying spelling rules. Gives it character, a mark of our mongrel heritage, we’re told. It doesn’t make it any easier to write, though.

One common area of confusion is when seemingly the same word has two spelling variations – one with a ‘c’, and one with an ’s’. Words like practice and practise, or licence and license.

The simple answer is that you should use the ’s’ version if it’s a verb, or the ‘c’ version if it’s a noun.

So verb: the solicitor plans to practise law in the City.And noun: He hopes to build up a strong commercial property practice.

Or verb: the magistrates refused to license any more bars on the high street.And noun: So the bar owner did not receive his new licence.

One way to remember is to think of advise and advice. Because these two are pronounced differently (the former with a ‘z’ sound, the latter a soft ‘c’ like in ice), they’re not confused as often. But they do follow he same rule – the verb form uses an ’s’…to advise your colleague…while the noun takes a ‘c’…it was useful advice.

So, if you’re using the word as a verb, like to advise, to practise or to license, it’s spelt with an ’s’. If you’re using it as a noun, like my licence, a practice, or good advice, it’s a ‘c’.

Archived in the category: Write words, Writing tips

Posted by: Gareth Chadwick on Sunday, July 12, 2009 0 Comments

The meaning of the word Pettifogger

Pettifogger – someone who argues over something petty or trivial, or who is excessively concerned with unimportant detail.

What a lovely word.

Example:

‘Stop being such a terrible pettifogger and focus on the main points of the case!’

There’s a few people not a million miles away that this would apply to…

Archived in the category: Word of the month, Write words

Posted by: Gareth Chadwick on Monday, July 20, 2009 0 Comments

Business Copywriter - Newsletter July 2009

WriteWords newsletter

There’s been a few changes since the last issue of Write Words. We’ve moved offices (still in Manchester, just a nicer part), and we’ve had a personnel change (goodbye Sally hello Chris . We’ve also decided to change the frequency of Write Words to once every two months, to lighten the load on your Inbox.

On the client side, plenty of exciting new projects to get stuck into. We’ve been commissioned to plan and write the content for a new departmental website at the University of London, we won a tender to plan, write and edit a quarterly magazine for the Northwest Regional Development Agency, we’re working with Celerant Consulting on writing some sector brochures, and a we’re doing a monthly newsletter for Career Management Consultants.

That’s on top of the regular stuff from the likes of KPMG, Britannia and Savills, plus a whole host of smaller (but no less important projects), so plenty to keep us busy!

Archived in the category: General musings, Write words
Posted by: Gareth Chadwick

Six Words to Remember

Six words to remember

You may have heard the tale of how, in the 1920s, Ernest Hemingway bet ten dollars that he could write a complete story in just six words. He wrote: “For Sale: baby shoes, never worn.” He won the bet and often referred to the story as his best work ever.

There are now dozens of websites devoted to six-word stories (just try Googling it). One of the best, recently featured on Radio 4, is from US online magazine Smith, which tweaked the rules by asking its readers to sum up their own lives in just six words.

The results are surprisingly poignant; often funny (”No more kisses, whisker burn lingers.”), sometimes sad (”Two sons. One died; now none.”), sometimes regretful (”Wishing I’d jumped sooner, missed mark.”), even a little scary (”He seemed ok at the time”). You should try it; we did.

As business copywriters, we’re always banging on about conciseness and short sentences. And while we don’t expect you to turn your firm’s client newsletters, your website or your marketing material into heart-wrenching six-word stories (wouldn’t that be fun, though!), it’s a reminder of just how emotional and powerful words can be, even just six of the little blighters.

So think of that, next time you’re trying to explain to your boss why your ten word sentence is better than his 30-word jargon fest.

Archived in the category: General musings
Posted by: Gareth Chadwick on Thursday, February 28, 2008 - 1 Comment

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Another Train Grumble - Copywriter

Another train grumble…

Not that we’re obssessed with the relationship between transport and language (there’s a PhD in there somewhere, surely?), but the mangled language used by our public transport companies just gets odder and odder.

I was surprised yesterday to hear the station announcer refer to the train arriving to Platform 5.
Now, I know there can be a little bit of flexibility with certain verbs and the prepositions they take, but arriving to? What’s the matter with the good old-fashioned (and correct) arriving at?


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or email us in regards to your copywriting requirements.

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General musings - Copywriting Agency Wordsworks Blog


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Copywriting Agency

Copywriting Agency

Wordsworks is a copywriting agency. We help organisations harness the power of words to improve their business. We work with design and marketing agencies looking for words for specific projects, or we work directly with businesses looking to improve the quality and clarity of their written material.

Wherever you need words, think of wordsworks. We can usually help. We use words effectively and efficiently to inform, advise, educate and persuade. Some of the recent projects for which we’ve provided the words include: case studies, web sites, blogs, annual reports, in-house publications, client newsletters, marketing material, speeches and ghost writing for senior management. Whatever the project, we’ll give you well-written, engaging and interesting copy.

For further information, please contact:
Gareth Chadwick
Wordsworks
http://www.wordsworks.co.uk/
Tel: 0161 443 4135
Email: gareth.chadwick@wordsworks.co.uk

Wordsworks is a specialist writing consultancy, with a particular focus on the professional services, enterprise and environmental sectors.

The business was set up by former journalist Gareth Chadwick in 2003 to provide outsourced writing and editing services. Typical projects include firm brochures, websites, case studies, blogs, recruitment brochures, client newsletters, reports and in-house magazines.

Wordsworks’ client list includes The College of Law, Ince & Co, Foresight Venture Partners, Addleshaw Goddard, UK Centre for Environmental and Economic Development, TLT Solicitors, Northwest Regional Development Agency and The Independent.

Prior to setting up Wordsworks, Gareth was a journalist specialising in business and professional services. His credits include The Times, The Sunday Times, The Independent, The Lawyer, Legal Director and Managing Partner magazine.

For further information, please contact:
Gareth Chadwick
Wordsworks
http://www.wordsworks.co.uk/
Tel: 0161 443 4135
Email: gareth.chadwick@wordsworks.co.uk