National Punctuation Day: Sept 24th

As a writer, I thought it is important to share this piece of trivia. Punctuation definitely gets its due credit.

http://www.nationalpunctuationday.com



Thanks,
Ravi

Please see attached

It is strange that widespread use of a misused English construct becomes a universal habit in no time My pick today is on the usage of "Please see attached" phrase in our daily e-mail communication.
I myself have been guilty of using such constructs in my official e-mail communication.

There are suggested alternatives to be used when you want to draw the attention of the reciever to an attached document:

• The attached diagram shows . . .
  
• The attached spreadsheet contains . . .
  
• When you review the attached proposal, you will notice . . .
  
• As promised, I have attached a revised . . .
  
• Please let me know if the attached draft . . .

"Please see attached" is inaccurate and inappropriate usage. We don't want our readers to "see" the attachment.

We want our readers to perform some tasks one the attachment: review, improve, approve, save, forward, or recommend. Bute definitely, not see.

There is another variant of such usages: "please see attached".

This is no way better. We don't want the reciever to find it, because the attachment is very much there.

Usage: Meaning of Lest

The nearest equivalents in modern English would be "in case" or "for fear that" and it is always followed by a subject and a verb. An example sentence might be:

• I daren't touch the china vase, lest I break it. (ie., I am so afraid of breaking it that I won't touch it.

• for fear that; so that (one) should not (used negatively to introduce a clause expressive of an action or occurrence requiring caution): He kept his notes by his side lest faulty memory lead him astray.

• that (used after words expressing fear, danger, etc.): There was danger lest the plan become known.

Grammar: Had Better

We use “had better” plus the infinitive without “to” to give advice. Although “had” is the past form of “have”, we use “had better” to give advice about the present or future.

• You'd better tell her everything.
• I'd better get back to work.
• We'd better meet early.

The negative form is “had better not”.

• You'd better not say anything.
• I'd better not come.
• We'd better not miss the start of his presentation.

We use “had better” to give advice about specific situations, not general ones. If you want to talk about general situations, you must use “should”.

• You should brush your teeth before you go to bed.
• I shouldn't listen to negative people.
• He should dress more appropriately for the office.

When we give advice about specific situations, it is also possible to use “should”.

• You shouldn't say anything.
• I should get back to work.
• We should meet early.

However, when we use “had better” there is a suggestion that if the advice is not followed, that something bad will happen.

• You'd better do what I say or else you will get into trouble.
• I'd better get back to work or my boss will be angry with me.
• We'd better get to the airport by five or else we may miss the flight.