I have had a deep love of languages since I was a young girl. There was even a time in my life I thought I would become a linguist, though I didn’t really know what I could do with such a degree. That dream eventually gave way to a major in education, and subsequently this career in multifamily.

I am fortunate to have many people in my life who corrected me every time I spoke or wrote incorrectly. That sounds fun, doesn’t it?

My late mother-in-law was an editor for Encyclopedia Britannica (I wonder if people who read blogs know what encyclopedias are), and I used to drive her crazy with my misuse of "I" and "me". I haven’t exactly mastered proper usage of personal pronouns, but consider it a tribute to her every time I get it right. Naomi was a staunch feminist and one of my biggest professional cheerleaders. She would push me to take risks and remind me of her extremely high opinion of my abilities. While I didn’t always welcome the delivery of her relentless grammar lessons, she taught me a lot.

I hope you will enjoy this list of fifteen words to avoid if you are trying to sound intelligent and professional, compiled in Naomi's honor. I would love feedback on any words you believe should be added here. Are there any words you hear mis- or overused in business?

15-Words-to-Avoid.pdf