23 | Exact Words
23|Exact Words
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Good writing depends on knowing what words mean and how to use them precisely.
23aChoose words for their connotations as well as their denotations.
The denotation of a word is its basic meaning—its dictionary definition. Excited, agitated, and exhilarated all denote a similar state of physical and emotional arousal. The connotations of a word are the shades of meaning that set it apart from its synonyms. You might be agitated by the prospect of exams next week, but exhilarated by your plans for the vacation afterward. When you choose one of several options, you base your choice on connotation.
23bAvoid clichés.
A cliché is a trite expression, once vivid or figurative but now worn out from too much use. Clichés abound when writers and speakers try hard to sound lively but don’t invent anything vigorous, colorful, and new. If your writing includes clichés such as the following, delete them or rewrite them in your own words.
COMMON CLICHÉS
| a sneaking suspicion | last but not least |
| above and beyond the call of duty | make a long story short |
| add insult to injury | through thick and thin |
| beyond a shadow of a doubt | tip of the iceberg |
| few and far between | tried and true |
23cUse idioms in their correct form.
Idioms, or idiomatic expressions are phrases that, through long use, have become standard even though their construction may defy logic or grammar. Many idioms require you to choose the right preposition or which article, if any, to use before a noun. When in doubt, use a dictionary.
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Common Idiomatic Expressions at a Glance
| abide by (not abide with) | sure to (not sure and) |
| according to (not according with) | think of, about (not think on) |
| capable of (not capable to) | try to (not try and) |
| comply with (not comply to) | type of (not type of a) |
| plan to (not plan on) |
EXERCISE 23-1 Selecting Words
Revise the following passage to replace inappropriate connotations, clichés, and faulty idioms. Example:
We spent the first day of our holiday in Mexico arguing around what we wanted to see on our second day. We finally agreed to a day trip out to some Mayan ruins. The next day we arrived on the Mayan city of Uxmal, which is as old as the hills. It really is a sight for sore eyes, smack-dab in a jungle stretching as far as the eye can see, with many buildings still covered in plants and iguanas moving quickly over the decayed buildings. The view from the top of the Soothsayer’s Temple was good, although we noticed storm clouds gathering in the distance. The rain held up until we got off of the pyramid, but we drove back to the hotel in a lot of rain. After a day of sightseeing, we were so hungry that we could have eaten a horse, so we had a good meal before we turned in.