Business Writing Grammar Hunt Coined Verbs

by Mary Cullen on June 20, 2010

in Business Writing Grammar

This one paragraph contains a business writing error. Find and correct it:

Last year’s sales reports and salary structures prove that profit-sharing plans incentivize employees to meet sales goals. Sales were 8% higher for those employees who received a bonus based on their profitability, instead of their longevity.

Explanation:
This contains a recently coined business-speak “verb,” which is an objectionable form of jargon.

Last year’s sales reports and salary structures prove that profit-sharing plans incentivize employees to meet sales goals. Sales were 8% higher for those employees who received a bonus based on their profitability, instead of their longevity.

Here is the corrected version:

Last year’s sales reports and salary structures prove that profit-sharing plans encourage employees to meet sales goals. Sales were 8% higher for those employees who received a bonus based on their profitability, instead of their longevity.

Are there any coined verbs business terms that you find objectionable? I recently read of the “mainstreamification” of social media!

Learn More in This Course: Business Grammar: Error-Free Writing

Leave a Comment

Previous post: That or Which?

Next post: Business Thank You Letter How To