Effective Use of Language

This week, we had to do some exercises on how to use the language effectively. Let's see what we got!

1. Concrete and Specific Language.

Study the examples below. Which is more concrete and specific? What effect is created?

He is a bad roommate

He is lazy and discourteous

He is untidy and unclean

He doesn't clean up his own messes

He leaves his dirty dishes on the kitchen counter

Your relationship with John is unacceptable

You do not get along well with John

You and John have a lot of arguments

You and John insult each other too much

You and John call each other derogatory names

I believe that in the second paragraph the sentences are more concrete and specific. Thanks to them, an understanding is created that we are talking about a person who is not a very good neighbor.

2. Concise Language

Shorten the sentences above to avoid wordiness

(1) It is widely discussed by employees that many of them will be forced to change jobs and take on new responsibilities when the merger takes place between the two companies.

(2) Before making a decision about whether the person on trial is guilty or innocent in this case, the members of the jury should be sure to carefully think about, ponder and reflect on all of the important and relevant testimony in the case.

(1) The employees discuss that they will be forced to change jobs when two companies merge.

(2) Making a decision about guilt or innocence of the person, the jury should carefully think about all the important testimony in the case.

3. Familiar Language

Consider the following examples. An assignment given to a class of business students by their philosophy professor.  Paraphrase it using familiar language.

"The presently assigned paper necessitates an eloquently articulated analysis of the Existentialist perspective as it pertains to contemporary living. You should adumbrate the points which represent the sine qua non /ˌsIni kwɑː ˈnɒn/ of your analysis."

“The assignment is to analyze the Existentialist perspective in contemporary life. Don’t forget to list the points of your analysis.”

4. Precise and Clear Language

Consider the following words. What numerical value would you assign to each of them? If something is "probable what percentage of the time does it occur?, etc.

(1) probable (2) doubtful (3) certainly (4) unlikely (5) perhaps

(1) probable - half (50%) (2) doubtful - not so much (20-30%) (3) certainly - absolutely right (100%)(4) unlikely - almost wrong (10-20%) (5) perhaps - maybe  (40%)

Consider the adjectives below, mind their the potential ambiguity


Expensive hot intelligent good spicy

Expensive – a salary;

Hot – personal attitude of a person;

Intelligent – intelligence;

Good – the moral qualities of a person;

Spicy – a taste.

Consider the following example. Note the potential confusion or ambiguity in this phrase. What is meant here by the adjective “interesting”?

He's an interesting individual.

humorous shade - strange or different person.

Each of the following are actual headlines printed in newspapers. Notice and explain their double meaning.

(1) Include your children when Baking Cookies
(2) Bank Drive-in Window Blocked by Board
(3) Killer Sentenced to Die for Second Time in Ten Years

(1) to invite another person to be a part of something, such as a job or project

(2) the board that stops people from seeing the sign

(3) two people in ten years were sentenced to die

5. Constructive Language

Consider the following examples. Constructive language phrases a potentially negative message in a positive way, whereas destructive language directs blame and criticism toward the reader, creating defensiveness. Change the use of language to make these examples more constructive.

(1) Student to instructor: "You have confused me so badly with your lectures that I don't know what to do. I am considering dropping out and taking the class next quarter from Dr. Johnstone, who can explain the information much more clearly. I don't want to drop out, but I have never been so frustrated with an instructor in my whole life."
(2) Instructor to student: "I have never had a student who was so confused with this material. Perhaps you should take an easier course from an easier professor. It makes no difference to me."

(1) I don't understand anything in these lectures. Can you help me with explaining the information much more clearly, please?

(2) Of course. I’ll help you to understand this material

6. Formality of Language.

Find synonyms to the following words. Notice the difference in formality between the two words in pairs. Either word might be equally appropriate, depending upon the reader and situation.

Utilize    facilitate      impediment    comprehend   erroneous

utilize - apply, employ

facilitate - help, promote

impediment - barrier, difficulty

comprehend - appreciate, envision

erroneous - false, mistaken

Have a nice day!