Precision of language often separates more effective technical writing from its less effective cousins. That’s why we’re staying on this precision-of-language train we’ve been riding now for the past few posts. Three posts ago we explored the differences between defective and deficient. Two posts ago we distinguished between the verb and noun forms of attribute. In the last post we detailed the differences between tenet and tenant. In this post we’ll describe what distinguishes decided from decisive.
Both of these words are adjectives, and although they have related meanings, those meanings differ significantly. Something decided is unmistakable, definite, or clear. Something decisive settles an issue quickly or allows one to make a decision quickly. Decided carries with it the connotation of being nonnegotiable. Decisive simply conveys increased speed in reaching the end decision.
Consider these distinctions in light of the example sentence above. Nothing about having an advantage involves making a decision, and so decisive is not really appropriate as used here. The writer would communicate more effectively by replacing decisive with decided.
Both of these words are adjectives, and although they have related meanings, those meanings differ significantly. Something decided is unmistakable, definite, or clear. Something decisive settles an issue quickly or allows one to make a decision quickly. Decided carries with it the connotation of being nonnegotiable. Decisive simply conveys increased speed in reaching the end decision.
Consider these distinctions in light of the example sentence above. Nothing about having an advantage involves making a decision, and so decisive is not really appropriate as used here. The writer would communicate more effectively by replacing decisive with decided.
Use of this proprietary alloy has given the company a decided advantage in the marketplace.
I know decisive sounds sexier, but when you consider the denotations and connotations of decided, you should see that this word is the more appropriate. Decide to use decisive appropriately. You’ll communicate more precisely, which will make a more effective presentation to your audience. And that will convey a more effective representation of both you and your brands.
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