Easily Confused Words
IMPRECISE VS PRECISE
VERBS
Emilia participated in the protest. Emilia organized the march on the capital. Hannah won’t deal with sales meetings. Hannah won’t attend sales meetings. Dick can relate to Jane. Dick understands Jane’s feelings.
MODIFIERS
These bad instructions confused me. These disorganized, vague instructions left me with no idea how to repair the leak.
Toy Story is a good movie with fun for all. Toy Story is a clever animated film with humor,
adventure, and romance.
We had a nice time with you. We enjoyed eating your food, drinking your cola, and swimming in your pool.
NOUNS
I always have trouble with this computer. I can never get this computer to save or print. I like to have fun when I take a vacation. I like to swim, fish, and eat out when I’m on vacation. Let me grab some things from my locker. Let me grab my purse and books from my locker.
Abstract vs. Concrete
Abstract language refers to intangible ideas or to classes of people and objects rather than the people or things them- selves. Abstractions are built on concrete ideas. Without a grasp of the concrete meanings, a reader can’t be expected to understand an abstract idea. Journalists and law enforcement professionals are especially aware of the distinc- tion between abstract and concrete as they write. They strive to present the facts clearly, so the reader can draw conclusions. They avoid making the assumptions for the reader, hoping the facts will speak for themselves. Con- crete language requires more time and thought to write, but it communicates a message more effectively. Additional words are an advantage if they add meaning or increase precision.
ABSTRACT ASSUMPTION CONCRETE DETAILS
Strader was amazing. Strader scored 28 points, grabbed 12 rebounds, and blocked 5 shots. The couple was in love. The couple held hands, hugged,
and ignored everything around them. Billie is reliable and responsible. Billie always arrives on time, completes her
assignments, and helps others if she has time.
Clichés
A cliché is a tired, overworked phrase that sucks the life out of writing. These are cliché phrases: a needle in a haystack, quiet as a mouse, crack of dawn, tough as nails, naked truth, hear a pin drop, and so on. Authors use clichés when they don’t have the time or ability to come up with more precise or more meaningful language. Although clichés are a sort of “communication short- hand,” they rely on stereotypical thinking for their meaning. A writer who uses clichés is relying on unoriginal, worn-out thinking patterns to carry a mes- sage. If the message is important, fresh language will make a stronger impression than old, overused phrases. Original language stimulates thought and heightens the reader’s concentration. Moreover, a fresh image rewards an attentive reader.
Finding the source of this problem was harder than finding a needle in a haystack.
Finding the source of this problem was harder than finding a fact in a political advertisement. Here are more examples contrasting clichés with fresher, more original language. When you check your writing, look for ways to replace frequently used words and phrases with something fresh and original.
We rose at the crack of dawn. We rose with the roosters.
Having Sam at our negotiations meetings was like having a loose cannon on deck.
Jargon
Jargon is the technical, wordy language used by those associated with a trade or profession. Often, it is full of passive voice, acronyms, technical terms, and abstract words. Writers use jargon to sound educated, sophis- ticated, or knowledgeable. Actually, jargon muddies and even distorts the message. Compare the following two paragraphs.
Alex demonstrates a tendency to engage inap- propriately in verbal social interaction during class time. His grades are deficient because he suffers from an unwillingness to complete sup- plementary assignments between class periods. Alex talks in class when he isn’t supposed to. He has low grades because he doesn’t do his homework.
The first paragraph leaves the impression that Alex is a sociopath with a serious problem. The second portrays him as a student who needs to talk less and work more. When you write, strive for clear, plain lan- guage that communicates your message accurately. Clear communication leaves a better impression by far than pretentious, abstract, jargon-filled words.
Practice
Choose the option that expresses the idea most clearly and concisely. Answers are at the end of the lesson.
5. a. On Thursday evening, our community garden
club had a plant sale. The money raised will be used to replace the trees in Memorial Park that were lost in the storm.
b. Some time late last week, the members of our
community garden club organized and ran a plant sale to raise money. The money they collected at the sale is for the purpose of buy- ing new trees to replace the ones that were lost in Memorial Park during the huge storm.
6. a. The least expensive option in a situation such
as this is inevitably also the most advanta- geous option.
b. The cheapest way is the best way.
7. a. Too many Americans prefer unhealthy, high-
calorie fast food to healthy, natural options.
b. Too many Americans prefer cheeseburgers
and fries to steamed vegetables and rice.
8. a. The marketing department found that cus-
tomers prefer the vanilla scent.
b. Consumer attitude studies conducted by our
marketing department seem to indicate that a large majority of our customers had good things to say about the vanilla scent.
A n s w e r s
1. Stephanie has contributed a lot to this com-
pany’s success.
2. Some educators believe that unruly students
should be spanked.
3. Using computers can save time and money. 4. I let my supervisor beat me at golf so she would
promote me.
5. a. 6. b. 7. b. 8. a.
Listen to public officials as they deliver prepared speeches. Do they speak clearly and plainly, or are they trying to sound “official”? A truly competent, intelligent speaker or writer doesn’t need a mask of preten- tious, abstract, sophisticated-sounding language.
G
ood writers know that communicating requires choosing words carefully. Writing styles that are too formal or informal, inappropriate, or just plain emotional turn readers off. You may have the best ideas in the world, but if you can’t get them across in writing, no one will ever act on your great ideas. On the other hand, well-expressed, commonplace ideas are more likely to get attention. How you choose your words has everything to do with whether your writing gets the attention it deserves.
C o l l o q u i a l i s m
Colloquialisms are informal words and phrases such as a lot, in a bind, pulled it off, and so on. These words and
phrases are widely used in conversations between friends, but in written communication, they portray an atti- tude of chumminess or close friendship that may cause your message to be taken less seriously than you intended. You may even insult your reader without meaning to. A friendly, colloquial tone is fine in a personal letter; how- ever, a more formal tone is better for business communications, which are meant to be taken seriously. Compare
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