Grammar and Usage

Grammar and Usage

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These are items that are simply wrong if not done according to the grammatical rules outlines below. This is not just a matter of style or clarity. Following these rules will make you a better writer and communicator, both in and outside of work. 

Grammar

The time entries often go on the invoice, so it's important to use reasonably correct grammar.

 When filling in ticket time entries and using plural words such as “users”:


  1. If the user is a singular possessive (i.e., “the user’s computer”, “the user’s profile”) there should be an apostrophe before the s.

 

Right: Called the user. Logged into the user’s profile

Wrong: Called the user. Logged into the users profile

 

  1. If it’s a plural, then the apostrophe comes after the s:

 

Right: Logged onto 3 computers. All the users’ profiles were set.

Wrong: Logged onto 3 computers. All the users profiles were set.

 

 

  1. If it’s not possessive (just a plural noun), than NO apostrophe:

Right: All the users were happy

Wrong: All the user’s were happy

 

How to Write Plural Words


 When filling in ticket time entries and using plural words such as “users”:

  1. If the user is a singular possessive (for example, “the user’s computer”, “the user’s profile”), there should be an apostrophe before the s. 

Right: Logged into the user’s profile

Wrong: Logged into the users profile

 

  1. If it’s a plural, then the apostrophe comes after the s:

Right: Logged onto 3 computers. All the users’ profiles were set.

Wrong: Logged onto 3 computers. All the users profiles were set. 

 

  1. If it’s not possessive (just a plural noun), than the should be NO apostrophe EVER:

Right: All the users were happy

Wrong: All the user’s were happy



Nouns, Verbs and using hyphenation or compound words


When used as a noun, the following should be spelled as one word, either with or without hyphenation: 

  • Setup  CORRECT: “I completed the setup” or "I completed the set-up." WRONG: "I completed the set up."
  • Backup CORRECT:  “The backup was successful” or "The back-up was successful.” WRONG: The back up was successful”
  • Login CORRECT: "I configured the login" or "I configured the log-in." WRONG: "I configured the log in."

Follow-up as a noun is always hyphenated: 

  • Follow-up  (“I recommend a follow-up call ”) 

Nouns


When used as a noun, the following should be spelled as one word, either with or without hyphenation: 

  • Setup  CORRECT: “I completed the setup” or "I completed the set-up." WRONG: "I completed the set up."
  • Backup CORRECT:  “The backup was successful” or "The back-up was successful.” WRONG: The back up was successful”
  • Login CORRECT: "I configured the login" or "I configured the log-in." WRONG: "I configured the log in."

Follow-up as a noun is always hyphenated: 

  • Follow-up  (“I recommend a follow-up call ”) 


Bottom line: A noun is always one word, whether hyphenated or not. 

Verbs


When used as a verb, the following should always be spelled as two separate words:



  • Set up: CORRECT:  “I set up the software...” WRONG: "I set-up the software..." WRONG: "I setup the software..."
  • Back up: CORRECT: “User asked me to back up the files.” WRONG: “User asked me to backup the files."   
  • Follow up: CORRECT: “I will follow up with you this afternoon.” WRONG: “I will follow-up with you this afternoon.”
  • Log in: CORRECT:  "Please log in to your account." WRONG: "Please log-in to your account." 
Bottom line: Never use a hyphen in a verb or turn two words into a verb. 



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