When I was a kid growing up in New Zealand, I had two favourite words: antidisestablishmentarianism and Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu.
Antidisestablishmentarianism means, in case you don’t know this, opposition to the disestablishment of the Church of England.
Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu is the name of a tiny hill in New Zealand. In English it means the place where Tamatea, the man with the big knees, who slid, climbed and swallowed mountains, known as landeater, played his flute to his loved one. Locals call this place Taumata Hill.
And that’s my point. Smart writers choose the simplest word and use longer words only if the meaning is so specific no other word will do.
Great writing is clear writing. There are many things to make your writing sing. Using short words is one of them. On a similar note, try replacing two-word phrases with one word that has the same meaning, conversely, consider using two or three simple words instead of one long word.
Here are thirteen examples of choosing the simple over the complex.
Replace long words with short or more common words
- start instead of commence
- use instead of utilize
- so instead of accordingly
- plan instead of strategize
- try instead of endeavour
Replace two or three words with one word
- near instead of close proximity
- experience instead of past experience
- many instead of wide range
- arrested instead of under arrest
- now instead of at the present time
Replace a long word with two or three short words
- go with instead of accompany
- find out instead of ascertain
- ask for instead of solicit
