Quote EQ4U UPDATE – MAY 2023

May 2023 – update As per last month, a personal power theme quote with a deeply meaningful reflection on how we would wish to be remembered: ‘One day you’ll just be a memory for some people. Do your best to be a good one.’ ANONYMOUS The above is listed in EQ4U’s quotes section:  CHARACTER – EQ4U    GRAMMAR/COMMUNICATION NOTES – POSITIVE WORDS:   Meliorism             – the notion that the world can be improved by human effort Rapprochement   – an establishment or resumption of harmonium relations/ cordial relationship between individuals or groups – especially ref international affairs     Solicitude             – care or concern for someone or something   Warmest & best wishes,

Quote EQ4U UPDATE – APRIL 2023

EQ4U UPDATE – APRIL

This month’s quotes reflect on the personal power we hold within us to be our best selves, to inspire motivation and to achieve wellbeing:

‘It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.’
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

‘The world is your oyster. Don’t be afraid of opening it’.
CAPTAIN SIR TOM MOORE

‘How time is slipping underneath our feet; unborn tomorrow and dead yesterday, why fret about them if today be sweet.’
EDWARD FITZGERALD

‘We hold nothing entirely in our power except our thoughts.’

DESCARTES

The above are listed in EQ4U’s quotes section:

WELL-BEING – EQ4U

*GRAMMAR/COMMUNICATION NOTES

Fewer or less? – A reminder grammar note first posted in July 2020:

The simple rule for using ‘fewer’ or ‘less’, is that if things can be counted it’s ‘fewer’, and if unable to be counted it’s ‘less’. Fewer/less distinctions have been noted on my peeve list for many years and Kathy refers to this in her ‘Top 10 misused words’ list on page 137 of her book. A couple of examples of erroneous uses of ‘less’ when it should have been ‘fewer’:

• Article, Sunday Times, June 28^th 2020, P9 – ‘Less than three months…….’
• ‘Call Me Dave’ biography, P154 – ‘Less than twelve hours earlier………’

WORD NOTE:

Equivocate (v) / equivocal (adj) – using vague or ambiguous language in order to avoid speaking directly / capable of various interpretations.

*Grammar notes are dedicated to the memory of ‘Ruthless Editor’ Kathy Watson.  Kathy’s book: ‘Grammar for people who hate rules’ is a helpful reference source. Link to book: https://amzn.to/2AaV5bE

Warmest & best wishes,

Quote EQ4U UPDATE – MARCH 2023

This month’s theme reflects the critical issue of interdependence, the relationships and connections between people, resources, and systems at international, national, organizational, team and individual levels. Notably demonstrated at international level between member countries of NATO and support for Ukraine, but seemingly frequently unrecognized between different parties involved in industrial unrest.

‘There are no problems that we cannot solve together, and very few that we can solve by ourselves.’
LYNDON B JOHNSON

The above is listed in EQ4U’s quotes section:
TEAMS – EQ4U

GRAMMAR/COMMUNICATION NOTES

A word below that reflects a positive approach to working together effectively:

• Rapprochement – an establishment or resumption of harmonium relations/ cordial relationship between individuals or groups.

Warmest & best wishes,

Quote EQ4U UPDATE – FEBRUARY 2023

The narrative and dialogue associated with ongoing political upheavals and turmoil prompted this month’s ‘tongue in cheek’ quote:

‘Politics is supposed to be the 2nd oldest profession. I have come to realise that it bears a very close resemblance to the first.’
RONALD REAGAN

The above is listed in EQ4U’s quotes section:
PHILOSOPHY – EQ4U

GRAMMAR/COMMUNICATION NOTES

Singular/ plural word errors

A grammatical error that I understand is one of the most common, and one I frequently hear and read, is a mismatch of singular and plural pairing of a singular word or phrase with a plural word or phrase, or vice versa. Link below to informative website:

Keeping the grammar trolls at bay: how to match singulars and plurals – Concise Writing Consultancy

Warmest & best wishes,

Quote EQ4U UPDATE – JANUARY 2023

This month’s quote encapsulates a deeply meaningful reflection for the advocation of peace, applicable to scenarios between individuals and groups as well as nations at war – a fitting contemplation for New Year 2023 and beyond:

‘If we could read the secret history of our enemies, we should find in each man’s life sorrow and suffering enough to disarm all hostility.’
HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW

The above is listed in EQ4U’s quotes section:
COMMUNICATION & UNDERSTANDING – EQ4U

GRAMMAR/COMMUNICATION NOTES

Grammar/communication notes to be resumed in February.

Wishing you and yours a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year,

Quote EQ4U UPDATE – DECEMBER 2022

The Christmas season of goodwill prompts reflections of seeking meaningful understanding of and engagement with others:
 

‘If I cannot understand my friend’s silence, I will never get to understand his words.’
ENOCH POWELL
‘I don’t think’ …..’then you shouldn’t talk’ said the Hatter
LEWIS CARROLL (from Alice in Wonderland)
 
‘People will forget what you said and will forget what you did but will never forget how you made them feel.’
MAYA ANGELOU

 
The above are listed in EQ4U’s quotes section:
COMMUNICATION & UNDERSTANDING – EQ4U
 
*GRAMMAR/COMMUNICATION NOTES
 
This month’s grammar notes from Kathy’s book, pages 60 – 62 referencing clarification of common Latin abbreviations and correct comma usage:

• i.e.,- Latin ‘id est’, meaning ‘that is’ or ‘in other words’, generally followed by a comma.
• e.g., – Latin ‘exempli gratia’, meaning ‘for example’. It, too, should be followed by a comma.
• et al – Latin ‘et alii’ meaning ‘and others’. It does not require a comma.
• etc. – Latin ‘et cetera’ meaning ‘and the rest’, ‘and so forth’. It should be preceded by a comma.

Please continue to let me know if you have any grammar or communication notes that you would like me to include or if you have any comments.
 
*Grammar notes are dedicated to the memory of ‘Ruthless Editor’ Kathy Watson.  Kathy’s book: ‘Grammar for people who hate rules’ is a helpful reference source. Link to book: https://amzn.to/2AaV5bE

Quote EQ4U UPDATE – NOVEMBER 2022

The teamwork theme for this month is encapsulated in a quote that encompasses the core attributes for team effectiveness. Relevant to all teams regardless of context, with application of its message critical to the recently appointed Cabinet members appointed by the UK’s new Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak:

‘A team is a group of people who function together in an extraordinary way – who trust one another, who complement each other’s strengths and compensate for each other’s limitations, who have common goals that are larger than individual goals, and who produce extraordinary results.’
PETER SENGE

The above is listed in EQ4U’s ‘Team’ quotes section.

GRAMMAR/COMMUNICATION NOTES

COMPLEMENTARY VERSUS COMPLIMENTARY

A reminder of the difference in meaning between ‘compliment’ and ‘complement’, included in August 202 update, noted because of several examples recently seen where the incorrect term was used.

The simple rule to distinguish between them is that a compliment is something that is given as a free item or something that’s said or written that expresses admiration, regard or congratulation, whereas complement refers to enhancement or completion. The misuse of ‘complimentary’ when it should be ‘complementary’ is frequently noted, although rarely noted the other way round.

Please continue to let me know if you have any grammar or communication notes that you would like me to include or if you have any comments.

Warmest & best wishes,

Jan

Quote EQ4U UPDATE – OCTOBER 2022

In recognition and appreciation of unwavering dedication given to a life of service, October’s quotes are in remembrance of the life and legacy of Queen Elizabeth. An unparalleled leadership exemplar of promise fulfilment.

‘The influence of each human being on others in this life is a kind of immortality.’
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS

‘The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.’
GANDHI

The John Quincy Adams (the 6th President of United States) quote is listed under EQ4U’s ‘Philosophy’ section, and Gandhi’s under ‘Wellbeing’.

GRAMMAR/COMMUNICATION NOTES – To be resumed in November

Warmest & best wishes,

Jan