Is your poor English holding you back?
Bad English is like bad breath—when people notice it, they’re too polite to tell you about it. In Break the Language Barrier!, I’m not polite. In plain language, I tell you what’s wrong and how to get it right.
Why is good English important? Because like it or not, every time you open your mouth to say anything, you are judged. From the way you speak or write, the listener or reader decides things about your education, your intelligence, your social level or your suitability as an employee or romantic partner. Maybe it’s not fair, but that’s life. Make a mistake in your English, and without even knowing it, you might be branded as someone who is not right for a new job, not right for a promotion, not someone whose thoughts and opinions are worth considering or not someone suitable for a romantic or social relationship. The person you’re talking to may keep smiling, but now there’s an invisible barrier between you and professional or social advancement.
In today’s competitive job market, job seekers need all the help they can get. But using poor English in a job interview can ruin your chances for a job. One of the biggest problems employers have at the white-collar level, in particular among employees involved with corporate communications or dealing with customers, is poor English. Good English can give you the edge you need to beat out the competition for a new job or promotion.
Break the Language Barrier! teaches you how to avoid mistakes in grammar, pronunciation, word usage and punctuation that, without your even realizing it, can create an invisible barrier to your professional and social advancement. With easy-to-understand explanations and numerous examples, Break the Language Barrier! will help you speak with confidence; avoid embarrassment; improve your chances for a raise, a promotion or a date; impress your boss, colleagues and friends; enhance your social life and stay out of trouble with the Grammar Police.
- I could care less about what she says about me.
- There’s two reasons I don’t want to do it.
- I’m going to lay on the sofa and watch TV.
- David and her went to the beach yesterday.
- The ship sunk after it was hit by a torpedo.
- Check out our “new” selection of cheeses.
- I’m healthy because I eat healthy food.
- I don’t like those kind of people.
- This is a strange phenomena that can’t be explained.
- Yesterday, I bought milk, coffee and banana’s.
- He feels badly about hurting her feelings.
- I was attacked by a mountain lion last week. I may have been killed.
- Either myself or Jim will call you when the work is finished.
- We were surrounded on three sides.
- I’m chomping at the bit to get started on this project.
- If I would’ve known you were coming, I would’ve cleaned the house.
- My high school has less students today than it did 20 years ago.
Not sure why many of them are wrong? If so, you’re likely making the same mistakes—mistakes that people who understand correct English grammar, word usage, pronunciation and punctuation have been noticing. When people listen to you speak or read your writing, what do you want them to pay attention to, your message or your mistakes?
