The Best Word for the Job

The English language is an organic system. Words take on new meanings and usages almost daily, especially with the Internet acting as a tool for global communication. However, that doesn't mean that words can take on whatever meaning we want them to. Words must be used in ways that are understandable to a broad group of people and convey meaning accurately.

Because of the English language's indefatigable vocabulary, accurately conveying meaning can be an art. Synonyms are not necessarily interchangeable, as many words with similar interpretations are imbued with subtlety of meaning. Using the right word out of a set of synonyms can can put you head and shoulders above other writers who are haphazardly choosing words that seem to fit. Or worse, some writers try to make words take on meanings they were never meant to, simply because they think they can.

For example, take the verb "to decrease." M-W.com defines this verb as "to grow progressively less." Synonyms of this word are given, but their subtle differences described. "Lessen suggests a decline in amount rather than number." "Reduce implies a bringing down or lowering." "Dwindle implies progressive lessening and is applied to things growing visibly smaller."

For example:

• Marianne lessened the size of her debt. (She lessened an amount rather than number. Marianne didn't lessen her bank balance, which is described as a number.)
• Marianne reduced the size of her debt. (Her debt did not reduce, unless it reduced her ability to spend.)
• Marianne's bank balance dwindled when she paid off her loans. (Marianne's bank account didn't dwindle--this wouldn't make sense; the account is where the money is held. And Marianne's money didn't dwindle because money doesn't get visibly smaller.)

If you try to use these words completely interchangeably without acknowledging their subtle differences, you can hurt your writing. Sentences will sound awkward and may be unclear. Give your reader credit for being sensitive to the language that they speak, read, and write. You don't want anything to distract the reader from you article, and using the wrong word certainly can. Remember--wanting a word to mean something that it doesn't won't make it so. Language is a system where the individual has very little autonomy, and it grows and adjusts to the collective users.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites