Grammar and Spelling

A Complimentary Grammar Tip

• If you advertise a free training session in a flyer, do you write “complementary session” or “complimentary session”?
• When you applaud an instructor for her teaching skills, are you “complementing” or “complimenting” her?
• And does strength training complement cardiovascular exercise—or compliment it?

The difference between these two words is simple: Say “compliment/complimentary” when you praise someone or offer something for free. Choose “complement” when referring to things that complete each other or go together well.

>From Newsletter 2, August 2001

Is It “It's” or “Its”?
Confusing “it's” and “its” is a common mistake, even for some writers. The two words have totally different meanings, though, so let's clear up the confusion. The word “it's” is a shorter way of saying “it is” or “it has.” Use the contraction “it's” only when it also makes sense to substitute “it is” or “it has.” Take a look:

Wrong: “Pilates is known for it's [it is] ability to work the core.”
Right: “Pilates is beneficial because it's [it is] an excellent way to work the core.”

The word “its” without the apostrophe is a possessive pronoun and falls into the same category as words such as “his,” “her” and “their.” In the first sentence above about Pilates, use “its.” Another example: “We attribute the gym's popularity to its location.”

>From Newsletter 4, October 2001

"Workout" Versus "Work out": One Word or Two?
What's the difference between "workout" and "work out"? Have you ever seen both versions in one article or ad? Is that a mistake? Not if the two spellings are used correctly. "Workout"—one word—is a noun, whereas (to) "work out"—two words—is a verb. For example:

Noun: That trainer puts you through an intense workout.
Verb: You work out intensely with that trainer.

See the difference? To determine which version to write, identify whether you are using the word(s) to describe an exercise session (workout) or an action (work out). This rule applies to other fitness-related words too: 1) warm-up (noun) versus (to) warm up (verb), 2) choreography breakdown (noun) versus (to) break down choreography (verb).

>From Newsletter 10, April 2002

What frequently used gym item is also a frequently misspelled word?
According to www.yourdictionary.com, "dumbbell" is among the top 100 most misspelled words. Remember, dumbbell has two b's, not one. Other common gaffes: exceed (not excede), a lot (not alot), misspell (not mispell) and until (not untill).

>From Newsletter 22, May 2003