Just-wrong-enough word choices

You’re only a letter or two off. And besides, everyone knows what you mean anyway. Is close enough really good enough? I’m not talking about obvious errors, but subtle word choices that might go (mostly) unnoticed.

I realize some will accuse me of being “picky” or pedantic, as if it all doesn’t matter anyway. But when you force your audience to figure out what you mean, you’re being lazy and weakening your writing.

Educated people do it. Professionals and successful business people do it. They are understood, for the most part, and some people even consider them articulate. But their glib communication leaves an almost-there, not-quite-right, about-seven-degrees-off-center feeling. They use big words and they seem smart, but there’s just something you can’t put your finger on …

Although you probably know what these sentences mean, each one contains a wrong word choice:

I expect you and your brother to behave respectively at Grandma’s house.

Problem: Respectively means “in the order given.” It means that you take turns behaving. First you behave, then your brother behaves. What—? Each of you is also free to misbehave as long as you take turns? The proper word is respectfully, which means “with deference and courtesy.”
Many accidents occur where these two major streets intercept.

Problem: Unless you’re discussing Cartesian coordinates, intercept as a verb generally means “to stop or interrupt a path,” such as that of a message or a football pass, that was intended for someone else. Two streets intersect—cut across or overlap each other. That’s why a street corner is called an intersection, not an interception.
We hope all of you will partake in the festivities.

Problem: Partake contains the words “take” and “part,” but it does not mean “take part.” It’s usually followed by the word of, and means “to consume or eat.” You partake of the appetizers and you partake of the barbecue. But you participate in the festivities. You can’t eat a festivity.

Why does this matter?

Your readers and listeners unravel these subtle errors in flight, probably without even realizing it. But the brain takes a detour and registers “Huh?” while it should be using its processing power to hang on your every word or agree with your point. While the reader’s brain is busy creating new neural pathways around the blunder, you’ve moved on to a new point. The “slightly wrong” choices suggest fuzzy thinking and flawed logic.

Precise word choices enable your audience to focus on your message with confidence. Careful, on-target nouns and verbs add strength to your writing and speaking, and they reward you with trust and credibility.

Tune in

Public figures who work from prepared speeches sometimes reveal their true nature when they wander off-book or appear in interviews where there is no speech writer. Listen for word choices the next time you hear a speech, a presentation, or a debate. The speaker might be seeking your vote, your money, or your agreement on a business matter. And once you tune in to it, you’ll find it difficult to support fuzzy thinking.

Sadly, I respectfully submit that listening too closely can discourage voting. As the democratic process intersects with the “close enough” mentality, we all participate in the resulting dilemma: Of all the candidates, presenters, and colleagues, whose thinking is the least fuzzy?

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