Last week I addressed the importance of precision in language using the case of credible and creditable as an example. Today I continue riding that precision train by looking at intensifiers.
Intensifiers are adverbs that emphasize degree. Some popular intensifiers are quite, rather, such, too, and very. Although quite common in spoken English, more effective technical writers know that written English is an entirely different animal! That doesn’t mean that intensifiers should never be used. That does mean that more effective writers use care when employing an intensifier.
For instance, consider the example sentences in the cropped graphic at left. A rather considerable modifies distance in a grammatically correct fashion, but those words do not sufficiently describe that distance to the reader. What exactly is “a rather considerable distance?” Such a construction might find acceptance in spoken English but not written English.
Likewise, the use of quite is both grammatically correct and common for some speakers. However, the word adds nothing to the essential meaning of the sentence. A more effective writer will remove it.
To write a more effective sentence, the writer can simply eliminate the adverbs modifying distance or replace the entire phrase with something more descriptive, such as a measurement for the actual distance. In any event, quite should be removed.
Intensifiers are adverbs that emphasize degree. Some popular intensifiers are quite, rather, such, too, and very. Although quite common in spoken English, more effective technical writers know that written English is an entirely different animal! That doesn’t mean that intensifiers should never be used. That does mean that more effective writers use care when employing an intensifier.
For instance, consider the example sentences in the cropped graphic at left. A rather considerable modifies distance in a grammatically correct fashion, but those words do not sufficiently describe that distance to the reader. What exactly is “a rather considerable distance?” Such a construction might find acceptance in spoken English but not written English.
Likewise, the use of quite is both grammatically correct and common for some speakers. However, the word adds nothing to the essential meaning of the sentence. A more effective writer will remove it.
To write a more effective sentence, the writer can simply eliminate the adverbs modifying distance or replace the entire phrase with something more descriptive, such as a measurement for the actual distance. In any event, quite should be removed.
The crack extended a distance before being arrested at the weld.
The crack extended before being arrested at the weld.
The crack extended 5.67 mm before being arrested at the weld.
The crack extended before being arrested at the weld.
The crack extended 5.67 mm before being arrested at the weld.
Writers who fail to distinguish the spoken and written forms of English cane easily misuse intensifiers. Once they recognize that distinction, more effective writers will ensure their use of an intensifier adds something substantial to the meaning communicated. If it doesn’t, they will either remove the intensifier or replace t with something more precise or descriptive.
Intensify your vigilance towards intensifiers. Greater precision makes for more effective writing. And more effective writing represents you and your brands more effectively.
Intensify your vigilance towards intensifiers. Greater precision makes for more effective writing. And more effective writing represents you and your brands more effectively.
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