Today I saw a commonly-used phrase that is actually wrong unconventional and not logical:

“All the best to your new appointment!”

I’m not sure whether it is the new job that needs the well wishes, or the person who is starting the new job. I don’t think I need to elaborate on how that sentence is nonsensical, but in case nobody gets it, here are a few variations on better ways to wish someone:

All the best at your new workplace!

All the best for/at your new job!

All the best for/in your new career!

All the best for/in 2010!

There isn’t a single ‘correct’ way to say it, but ‘to’ is definitely the wrong preposition to use.

I think some people are actually a little confused about prepositions to be used (especially for time / place), so without being too technical, here’s a guide:

I will be in Krabi over the weekend. I am flying off to Krabi on Friday.

I am going to Europe in 2010. I am going to Europe in July.

I am attending a wedding on the 18th of May.

I will see you at Tanjong Pagar MRT Station at 6pm.

I am going to be at home tonight.

I hope to visit Chinmay in Sweden.

I live in Singapore. I live in Punggol. I live at 163 Punggol Central.

I have to be back in the office at 2pm / by 2pm.

I have written the details of the event in the email.

If you have any questions or doubts about any phrase, or what prepositions to use, please feel free to drop me a message here!

For fun: What if someone created a food item called ‘Special Sundaes’ at TGIFriday’s every Saturday, and told everyone that the event is running through out May, and that there is an additional discount for people who are working at June Florist. Would the event invitation look like this?

Come join us at Friday’s every Saturday in May, for Special Sundaes! Additional discount for people at June!

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