Lately we’ve been discussing precision of language. That’s because the right word can make all the difference between producing a more effective presentation and a less effective one. Two posts ago we examined precision of language as exemplified in the correct use of the word affinity. In the last post we considered the words defective and deficient. In this post we discuss attribute and contribute.
Attribute can be either a verb or a noun. To help distinguish between the two usages, the pronunciation places the accent on a different syllable. When the accent is placed on the first syllable, attribute is a noun which means a quality or characteristic. When the accent is placed on the second syllable, attribute is a verb which means to indicate a cause or source. Conversely, contribute is a verb which means to give or offer.
It may seem silly to make these distinctions. Using contribute where you should use attribute just seems wrong, especially when you read the sentence out loud. Yet some writers have mistaken these two words, using one when the other was intended. Even more writers have confused the two forms of attribute. They used the noun when the verb should have been used, and vice versa.
So make sure you contribute the right attribute to your technical writing. Precision of language will help you craft a more effective message to your audience. And that leaves them with a more effective representation of both you and your brands.
Attribute can be either a verb or a noun. To help distinguish between the two usages, the pronunciation places the accent on a different syllable. When the accent is placed on the first syllable, attribute is a noun which means a quality or characteristic. When the accent is placed on the second syllable, attribute is a verb which means to indicate a cause or source. Conversely, contribute is a verb which means to give or offer.
It may seem silly to make these distinctions. Using contribute where you should use attribute just seems wrong, especially when you read the sentence out loud. Yet some writers have mistaken these two words, using one when the other was intended. Even more writers have confused the two forms of attribute. They used the noun when the verb should have been used, and vice versa.
So make sure you contribute the right attribute to your technical writing. Precision of language will help you craft a more effective message to your audience. And that leaves them with a more effective representation of both you and your brands.
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