Blog Posts - words by kurt

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Tip #155: You’ll likely write better when you understand libel and liable

2/2/2017

Recently we’ve been riding the precision of language train. Three weeks ago we examined the correct use of the construction both . . . and. Two weeks ago we reviewed the difference between figuratively and literally, two words that many writers confuse. Last week we resolved the confusion many writers have between insoluble and unsolvable. This week, 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:

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.

Tip #154: Knowing when to use insoluble is not unsolvable

1/26/2017

Precision of language produces more effective technical writing. Recently we’ve been examining some specific instances of this concept. Three weeks ago we considered the difference between datum and data. Two weeks ago we learned the proper use of the construction both . . . and. Last week we examined the difference between figuratively and literally, two words that many writers confuse. This week we’ll consider two other words that many writers confuse — insoluble and unsolvable.

Insoluble means incapable of being dissolved. Unsolvable means impossible to solve. Less careful writers use these words interchangeably. However, the definitions of these two words make very clear that insoluble and unsolvable are not interchangeable.

Consider the example sentence in the cropped graphic above. By using insoluble, the writer communicates that the production problem is unable to dissolve in something. But problems don’t dissolve into anything; they don’t dissolve at all. Unsolvable is the better word choice.

The production problem remained unsolvable until yesterday when a line worker recognized a solution.

By using more precise language, writers can avoid possible confusion and communicate their messages more clearly.

Knowing when to use insoluble is not unsolvable. Understand the difference in definition, and you will know which word will more clearly communicate your meaning. That greater precision in language will increase the effectiveness of your writing. And that will in turn make a better presentation of both you and your brands to your audience.

Tip #153: Literally understand what figuratively means

1/19/2017

Lately we’ve been discussing the importance of precision in language within technical writing. Two weeks ago we learned the difference between datum and data. Last week we examined the construction both . . . and. This week we’ll continue our trek into precision of language by reviewing the difference between figuratively and literally. (And yes, we will do this literally, not figuratively!)

Figuratively means metaphorically or allegorically. Literally means really, actually, or in a literal manner or sense. Some writers confuse these two words, using them interchangeably. However, the definitions of these two words make very clear that figuratively and literally represent mutually exclusive concepts. They are not interchangeable.

Consider the example sentence in the cropped graphic above. Adding the word figuratively would clarify the true meaning of this sentence.

The factory workers were figuratively on fire.

One would not use the word literally instead of figuratively in this instance, because that would confirm that the factory workers were aflame and burning. In addition, more effective technical writers would not use the idiom on fire, which is informal language and as such has no place in more effective technical writing. Here’s one possible replacement:

The factory workers set a new production record.

By using more formal and precise language, writers can avoid the use of figuratively altogether.

Literally understand what figuratively means, and you can produce more effective technical writing through greater precision in language. More effective writing means a better presentation, and that will create a better impression of you and your brands in the minds of your audience.

Tip #152: Parallel structures balance both grammar and logic

1/12/2017

Last week we discussed precision of language in using the words datum and data. This week we’ll stay on that precision of language train by examining the construction both . . . and.

Using both . . . and introduces a parallel structure into a sentence. That means that this construction is most effective when whatever follows both matches whatever follows and in both grammar and logic. (See how I worked that in there?)

To illustrate, let’s examine the example sentence in the cropped graphic above. At first glance, one might not detect any error with the sentence. But the construction is not parallel. Look at the elements that follow each of the key words in the construction. Both is followed by ensuring clarity. And is followed by conciseness. Both of these elements are noun phrases; however, the first contains a gerund (which is a verb form being used as a noun) and the second does not (it is simply a noun).

Technical writers can make this example sentence more effective by matching the elements after each key word in the both . . . and construction. They can either change the first element to match the second or change the second element to match the first.

Mastering technical writing requires both clarity and conciseness.

Mastering technical writing requires both ensuring clarity and maximizing conciseness.

Notice how in each instance the elements after the key words match one another in both grammar and logic. This congruence makes the use of a parallel structure more effective. Greater precision of language makes for more effective technical writing. And that can make more effective presentations that more effectively represent both you and your brands to your audience.

Tip #151: Datum is a part of data

1/5/2017

One of my most frequently addressed topics in this forum is the difference between written and spoken English. That’s because understanding that difference can help you to write more precisely, and greater precision produces more effective technical writing. This week we’ll examine an example that comes to the English language from the Greek. I’m talking about the use of datum and data.

As our world becomes more and more driven by technology, the data underlying that technology becomes a more common part of our world, and hence the word used to describe it also becomes more common. With that ubiquity comes the natural evolution that all languages experience. In this case, the plural noun data has been increasing used as a singular noun. Aiding this evolution is the increasing disuse of the singular noun datum.

Some technical writing gurus may argue that following this evolution is fine, but I’m not one of them. Using data as a singular noun introduces an element of informality into technical writing, much the same way that transcribing spoken English does.

It’s very common in speech to employ informal constructs. But more effective technical writing demands that writers avoid informality. So if you want more effective technical writing, remember that datum is a part of data. More precise language means a better presentation of your message to your audience, and that will leave them with a better impression of both you and your brands.

Tip #150: Such is an adjective, not a pronoun

12/22/2016

Addressing precision of language in a technical writing blog is easy because a great many instances of its use in specific word choices abound. Two weeks ago I examined the need to replace the word so with a more precise word where possible. Last week I examined another such vague construction — such that. This week I’m discussing an especially inappropriate use of the word such.

Here we see another example of the distinction between spoken and written English. When spoken, the word such finds acceptance as a pronoun even though it’s an adjective. However, this use is colloquial.

Thus, more effective technical writers will replace such with a more appropriate word when needing a pronoun. This means the writer should revise the example sentence in the cropped graphic above.

Our procedure does not use traditional welding practices, and we do not anticipate it will ever use any.

It’s very common in speech to employ informal constructs. But more effective technical writing demands that writers avoid informality. So if you want more effective technical writing, use such as an adjective, not a pronoun. More precise language means a better presentation of your message to your audience, and that will leave them with a better impression of both you and your brands.

And now this blog post leaves 2016 as another good year for words by kurt. Merry Christmas to all, and may the goodness of this season bless you and yours always. See you next year!

Tip #149: Avoid such that so that you’re more precise

12/15/2016

Recently I’ve been discussing various ways in which precision of language produces more effective technical writing. Two weeks ago I extolled using somewhat instead of some. Last week I examined the word so. This week I’m discussing another such construction — such that.

In precision of language cases, the difference between spoken and written English often plays an important role. Spoken English often introduces informality which more effective technical writing typically avoids.

For example, consider the example sentence in the cropped graphic above. Many writers would think nothing of such a construction. Yet the construction such that is rarely precise. The word such is an adjective which means of this or that kind. Replace the word such in the example sentence with its definition, and you get a very muddled sentence.

The procedure should be simple enough of this and that kind that it can be repeated with little need for correction.

More appropriate than such that is so that. Making this correction to the example sentence produces a much better read.

The procedure should be simple enough so that it can be repeated with little need for correction.

Some writers may argue that replacing so that with so produces a shorter sentence with no loss in clarity. I disagree. Including the conjunction that assures clarity while at the same time providing the formality more effective technical writing demands. Such a construction could be very acceptable in business writing or news copy. But business writing and news copy aren’t technical writing.

Spoken English commonly employs informal constructs. However, more effective technical writing avoids informality. Avoid such that so that you’re more precise. More precise language means a better presentation of your message to your audience, and that will leave them with a better impression of both you and your brands.

Tip #148: Avoid so vague a word as so

12/8/2016

Lately I’ve been addressing precision of language in technical writing. Actually, it’s been a subject of my weekly posts for the last few months. That’s because precision of language in technical writing is a “big ticket item.” Exercising it in your technical writing makes your documents all the more effective.

Two weeks ago I examined the inappropriate use of ‘til in replacing until in technical writing. Last week I examined another such swap — replacing the more precise somewhat with the more vague some. This week I’m discussing another vagary — so.

In all of these cases the difference between spoken and written English has played an important role. Each of these examples introduce informality which more effective technical writing typically avoids.

Such is often the case when writers employ the word so. Although vague terms often find acceptance in spoken English, that same acceptance doesn’t always transfer to written English. More effective technical writers will always choose another word when it more precisely communicates the intended meaning.

Consider the example sentence in the cropped graphic above. As used, so appears acceptable. However, the intended meaning is to convey a cause-and-effect relationship between the elements represented in each of the phrases in the sentence. So can do that, but another word like because does that same job more effectively. This means more effective writers will revise that example sentence to employ more precise language.

Because the welders have been using the new weld procedure, failure testing has improved.

Failure testing has improved because the welders have been using the new weld procedure.

It’s very common in speech to employ informal constructs. More effective technical writing demands that writers avoid informality. So avoid so vague a word as so. Use the word that more clearly communicates your message. More precise language means a better presentation of your message to your audience, and that will leave them with a better impression of both you and your brands.

Tip #147: Avoid some more than somewhat

12/1/2016

Lately I’ve been addressing precision of language in technical writing. Two weeks ago I examined the importance of avoiding half a and half an. Last week I examined another such word — ‘til. This week I’m discussing another word in that same vein — some.

In all of these cases the difference between spoken and written English has played an important role. Each of these examples introduce informality which more effective technical writing typically avoids.

In that same vein, some writers use the word some (which is an adjective meaning an undetermined quantity or a pronoun meaning certain unspecified persons) in place of the word somewhat (which is an adverb meaning to an extent). While this practice may find acceptance in speech, more effective technical writing is structurally sound in its grammar.

This means the writer should revise the example sentence in the cropped graphic above. Here are two alternatives, both of which are acceptable.

Quality has somewhat improved since the implementation of Six Sigma at the factory.

Quality has improved somewhat since the implementation of Six Sigma at the factory.

It’s very common in speech to employ informal constructs. But more effective technical writing demands that writers avoid informality. So avoid some more than somewhat. Use the word that more clearly communicates your message. More precise language means a better presentation of your message to your audience, and that will leave them with a better impression of both you and your brands.

Tip #146: Don’t stop until you replace every ‘til

11/17/2016

Lately I’ve been addressing precision of language in technical writing through the lens of the difference between spoken and written English. Three weeks ago I examined the word fine. Two weeks ago, the word d’ jour was nice. Last week, I discussed the proper use of half. This week I’m looking at ‘til.

The word ‘til is an abbreviated form of until. When spoken, the word ‘til is archaic but acceptable. That archaic quality, however, makes ‘til unacceptable in technical writing. More effective technical writers, therefore, will use the full word until, a more appropriate word for technical writing which minimizes confusion potentially created by its more nonstandard cousin.

It’s very common in speech to employ informal constructs. But more effective technical writing demands that writers avoid informality. So if you want more effective technical writing, don’t stop until you replace every ‘til in your document. More effective technical writing employs more precise language, and that produces a better presentation of both you and your brands in the minds of your audience. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!