“The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter--it's the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning,” said Mark twain. First and foremost, we can never draw an analogy between the lightning bug, an insect, and the lightning, a flash in the sky. It is simply due to the fact that the features of the insect have nothing to do with those of the flash in the sky. The insect moves along the ground, eats grass, and climbs the tree leaves, while the flash in the sky is caused by electricity when it’s both rainy and windy.
The same thing can be true of words we use in everyday life to communicate with one another. Writers write articles, stories, poems, etc. to convey their messages as clearly as possible. Speakers do the same orally. However, the crust of the matter lies in whether or not we use the right words to do so. As the author said, even the almost right words will be at the expense of the message being imparted. As far as my reading experience is concerned, while reading any book or article, I continue to do so with interest until I come across some words not appropriately used. On the spot, I put it down and take another one.
Frankly, this has always been my habit. Here, it would suffice to state some instances that make me stop reading certain articles, books, comments, etc. Here are some that I have read somewhere.
1. “ many of my buddies have coaxed me to study arts because I feel that I’m that so good at them”
2.“that’s a nice shot. What can be better than shinining rivers?”
3.“I was appointed to teach by the adherence of the academy”
4.“ you are up to the challenge”
5.“ you’re so nice;”
6.“ so true! I can’t wait to read it.”
7.“ needless to say, it’s so fantastic”.
8.“there is some vitality in what you say; you’re wholly confident; my eyes are on you”
10.“ bear with the problem; or you can see the one dearer to you”
11.“that’s a really asinine topic, you have opened the doors for many of us”
12.“ get out of the dungeons of ignorance”
13.“wonderfully put together piece of writing; I just penned it while contemplating the horizon”
14.“ I dwell too much in my own thoughts”
15.“ it was not completely unexpected”
16.“it sounds as if you I don’t where I will begin”
17.“this strategy is quite inaccessible; you have opened the doors for many of us; communication with you is a piece of cake”.
18.“ By the examination of your mind machine; I’m on the alert to respond to your writings”
Each of the above examples can be understood by any reader, but are we using the right word through which we can impart our ideas with ease? I do not think so. Everyone can understand them, but they are in danger of misunderstanding the writer.
In (1), the writer is using “coax” to persuade someone to study arts. It can be the almost right word, not the right word simply because “coax” has a negative connotation, meaning persuading someone to trick another one into doing something wrong like stealing, playing a trick on people, etc. The writer thinks he has conveyed the message clearly, but unfortunately he was not using the right word to do so. When I read it, I thought studying arts is something tricky and must not be done.
In (3), though I understand that this person was appointed by the academy, I am still confused as to what he meant by “adherence”. What kind of appointment is it? I really have no idea. In (7), from time to time, we writers use this fixed expression, but I personally don’t feel like using it whatsoever. It’s an empty expression for me. Why did the writer say “fantastic” when it is needless to say so? This is sheer contradiction.
I do not need to write critically of each sentence simply because the writer himself can do so if he really reconsiders them and peruses them painstakingly. Suffice it to say that some of us are not acutely aware of the importance of the right word. Only when do we have our writings misunderstood or explained wrongly by the reader do we come to know its significance.
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