Last week I continued a theme I have advanced occasionally on this blog when I posted regarding precision of language in using the words definite and definitive. This week I stay on that theme by examining the use of bad and badly.
The problem once again has root in failing to distinguish between written English and spoken English. As I’ve posted previously, these two forms of communication have the same language but different conventions. Spoken English has more flexibility because its conventions are not as rigidly defined as those of written English. Thus, failure to distinguish between the two can lead to less effective writing.
Bad and badly provide a great example of this condition. Both words carry the same denotation of not good, but they are different parts of speech. Bad is an adjective, whereas badly is an adverb. This difference matters considerably because adjectives modify nouns whereas adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs.
For instance, consider the example sentence in the cropped graphic above. While appropriate in spoken English within some circles, the use of bad in this sentence is just bad in written English. That’s because the writer used an adjective to modify a verb (corroded), thereby introducing a structural inconsistency. Guess what? Structural inconsistencies don’t make effective technical writing.
The writer can improve the sentence by using the correct part of speech.
The problem once again has root in failing to distinguish between written English and spoken English. As I’ve posted previously, these two forms of communication have the same language but different conventions. Spoken English has more flexibility because its conventions are not as rigidly defined as those of written English. Thus, failure to distinguish between the two can lead to less effective writing.
Bad and badly provide a great example of this condition. Both words carry the same denotation of not good, but they are different parts of speech. Bad is an adjective, whereas badly is an adverb. This difference matters considerably because adjectives modify nouns whereas adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs.
For instance, consider the example sentence in the cropped graphic above. While appropriate in spoken English within some circles, the use of bad in this sentence is just bad in written English. That’s because the writer used an adjective to modify a verb (corroded), thereby introducing a structural inconsistency. Guess what? Structural inconsistencies don’t make effective technical writing.
The writer can improve the sentence by using the correct part of speech.
Once exposed, the iron core corroded badly.
The writer can provide more formality (and, for some audience members, more professionalism) by using a different adverb.
Once exposed, the iron core corroded extensively.
Once exposed, the iron core corroded thoroughly.
Once exposed, the iron core corroded unabashedly.
Once exposed, the iron core corroded thoroughly.
Once exposed, the iron core corroded unabashedly.
The writer really does have multiple options. But when it comes to more effective technical writing, the best options always employ precision of language. So don’t use bad badly. Understanding the differences between apparently similar words can help you improve your writing and present your message more effectively. And that will represent you and your brands more effectively.
RSS Feed