Recently we’ve been riding the precision of language train. Three posts ago we examined the correct use of the construction both . . . and. Two posts ago we reviewed the difference between figuratively and literally, two words that many writers confuse. In the last post we resolved the confusion many writers have between insoluble and unsolvable. In this post, we’ll look at three additional words that many writers confuse — libel, liable, and likely.
The word among these three that connects with the other two is liable, which means responsible by law, legally answerable, and subject by law to. The word has a clear connotation of the law and legal matters. Yet when expressing in speech the idea of probability of occurrence, many use the word as a substitute for likely, even if no connotation of the law is intended.
Precise writers will use likely to express conditions of probability and liable to express subjugation to the law. Thus, these writers would revise the sentence in the cropped graphic above to read as follows:
The word among these three that connects with the other two is liable, which means responsible by law, legally answerable, and subject by law to. The word has a clear connotation of the law and legal matters. Yet when expressing in speech the idea of probability of occurrence, many use the word as a substitute for likely, even if no connotation of the law is intended.
Precise writers will use likely to express conditions of probability and liable to express subjugation to the law. Thus, these writers would revise the sentence in the cropped graphic above to read as follows:
Such service conditions make the casing likely to corrode.
Many writers confuse not only liable and likely but also liable and libel. Thus they use libel, which is anything distributed visually (writing or pictures) that damages someone’s reputation, when they really intend to convey the meaning of likely.
You’ll likely write better when you understand libel and liable. Using that precision of language promotes your own reputation as a more effective writer who can present desired messages to your audience more effectively. And that more effectively represents both you and your brands to that same audience.
You’ll likely write better when you understand libel and liable. Using that precision of language promotes your own reputation as a more effective writer who can present desired messages to your audience more effectively. And that more effectively represents both you and your brands to that same audience.
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