Word choices help please?

Question

Hi,Could you please check for me, If I have made any mistakes in these word choices?Please refers / quotes to the reference number above. (Both are the same meaning however quote sounds better here?)This is not a good business therefore,There are too many competing / competitions. (Both words are correct here?)Cheers

GPY · Accepted Answer

John AkiPlease refers / quotes to the reference number above. (Both are the same meaning however quote sounds better here?)

Grammatically the possibilities are:

a) Please refer to the reference number above.
b) Please quote the reference number above.

However, if you are asking someone to write or mention the reference number in their own letter or message, use (b). (a) seems ambiguous in meaning (may seem to mean that they should look at or check the reference number).

John AkiThere are too many competing / competitions. (Both words are correct here?)

"too many competitions" is not right in this context. You want the uncountable form of "competition", so it should be "There is too much competition".

You can also say "There are too many competitors".

"There are too many competing" is possible in the interpretation "There are too many (other people/companies) competing", but it is not a particularly obvious way of saying it.

Word choices help please?

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