Have you ever read a sentence that sounded correct but when you looked at it again you realized that the word’s meaning didn’t fit the meaning of the sentence?
This is a common mistake among writers. They’ve chosen a word that is inexact in its meaning. In order to write clearly and effectively you will want to find the words that fit your meaning exactly and convey your attitude precisely.
It is important to help the reader along as much as possible; one key way to do this is to use words according to their established meaning. For starters always consult a dictionary, whenever you are unsure or a words meaning. Next, distinguish similar sounding words, called homonyms that have very different meanings.
For example a sentence such as “older people often suffer infirmaries” is inexact. What the sentence says is “older people suffer in place for the sick. The correct sentence should read “older people often suffer infirmities, which are disability or a lack or vitality. Notice how the sentence completely changes when a different word is used.
It is also important to distinguish between homonyms (like sounding words) for example rein, rain, reign, or their, there, they’re and words with related but distinct meanings
Example: Television commercials continuously [unceasingly] interrupt programming.
This is an inexact sentence. The exact one should read:
Television commercials continually [regularly] interrupt programming.
Also distinguish between words that have similar basic meaning but different emotional associations.
She was very upset (unhappy)
She was enraged (furiously angry)
Consult a dictionary if you are unsure. Many dictionaries list and distinguish such synonyms.
Be sure that your writing is clear and exact to convey the proper message to your reader.
The examples used in this article were taken from “The little brown essential handbook for writers” by Jane E. Aaron and Elaine Bander
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