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  • Category: Miscellaneous
    Points:5

      

    Getting the right word at the right time.

    I know it depends a lot on your vocabulary, your memory power and your capability to comprehend and remember but I feel it is more of luck to be able to get the right word at the right time.

    For example, while writing a thread you want to put across a point through a word which you know, that you have read and is there somewhere at the back of your mind, but you do not get it then. You do not want to lose the flow of writing and so you choose to ignore that word and opt for a sentence/ phrase that would convey what you want to.

    Now, the point is that whether using a sentence instead of that one word would change the beauty of your content. In other words, will using a single word in place of a sentence or phrase enhance the quality and grace of your content?

    Have you ever thought about this? What is your opinion?
  • #778954

    Points:4
    This has happened with me umpteen number of times that I don't get the best word right at the moment. I somehow manage it by writing it in a different way or using a synonym. However using a synonym has its own pitfalls as it does not convey same thing all the time.
    Earlier in such a situation I was referring to thesaurus (dictionary of synonyms) and that helped me a lot. But later I discontinued that as I felt that refering to thesaurus every time was a cumbersome process.
    Getting a right word at right moment is a great capability and some are blessed with that.
    Another observation is that people who are getting old may experience this more often.
    Knowledge is power.

  • #778958

    Points:5
    People who are very good at language and vocabulary can use a correct word that will convey their views correctly to the reader. But people like me cannot find a suitable word and may have to elaborate the same in a sentence. The beauty will come only when we use the correct word to explain our views instead of making the same by writing a big sentence. One should read more and more books to improve their skills.
    Using the correct word in the correct place will be the best always. I think such people only will become good writers and win many many awards and prizes also. Hold on to the language is the primary requirement for a person who wants to become a good poet or writer, I feel.
    Even though we read books and get some new words if we don't use them immediately somewhere in writing we will forget those words and after some time when we want them to be used, we may not recollect them. This happens many times wi
    drrao
    always confident

  • #778960

    Points:4
    What the author has indicated is not unusual. I have come across such an embracing situation very often when the right word is not flashing in my mind. Maybe this might be the advancement of age when the entire nervous system is not in a synchronous mood. The same is attributable to a lack of reading obsession.
    This also reflects our poor appetite for literature and no effort has been made so far to tune the same. Currently, I am trying my best to fine-tune my writing skill without having a thought that it is, too, late to recuperate the same.

  • #778973

    Points:4
    Tip-of-the-tongue moments happen quite often with me. It needs a deep understanding of vocabulary and regular practice to use single words in writing. Sometimes we want to use a single word instead of a sentence to enhance the beauty of the message we want to convey and as per my understanding if we use a single word instead of a sentence, it will surely enhance the quality of the content. It also shows that the author has a good command and authority on their subject. It is one of the valuable skill that one can practice to enhance both their writing and speaking abilities.
    Explore, create, inspire

  • #778981

    Points:5
    Those who are having a good vocabulary coupled with a good memory might be getting the desired word at the right moment and that is a great thing. Others, who are not so proficient or lucky whatever we call it, would be having difficulties in getting the right word when it is required. Good authors with their experience attain such expertise and use their vocabulary in a magnificent manner. I have read some classical books by the great authors and while reading them we feel being at the situation and even see ourselves as one of the characters. They coin their words effectively and convey exactly what they wanted.
    I have often encountered difficulty in this respect as I fail to get the correct word at times and I have to manage with other words which are more or less near to the intended meaning. I also feel that more practice in writing especially literary writing might help us in overcoming this deficiency.
    Thoughts exchanged is knowledge gained.

  • #779008

    Points:4
    Getting the right word at the right time is imperative and it improves the quality of the content. A word can be placed at the appropriate position in the sentence only when one has a powerful vocabulary. A one-word substitution improve content and makes it precise instead of a long vain sentences. If one wants to put across his or her feelings in one word but struggle to find a suitable word would write a sentence to convey his or her thoughts. Such things are common for those with weak vocabulary. A powerful vocabulary always helps write fascinating and quality content that would attract readers stay connected to the content till the end.

  • #779010

      

    Points:4
    That's important and for that, one must have a good vocabulary and the knack for reading a lot. If the correct word is used to replace a sentence then I am sure it is going to enhance the quality of writing. At times while writing, some may feel that the expression is not up to the mark but if the correct word is found it can create a big difference. For example, if we wish to refer to a piece of writing whose writer is unknown we can use the word anonymous instead of mentioning that the author is unknown to us. Likewise, using certain words instead of explanatory sentences can always make the reading enjoyable.
    Sankalan

    "Life is easier when you enjoy what you do"

  • #779011

      

    Points:3
    Yes, a right word at a right place would add colour to the sentence and that's the beauty of the language, any. I, too, am not an exception and never waited for that word but continued my write-up to avoid the flow of thought or writing. Sometimes, I use to come back to edit the same, if possible.

    In the above responses, I got to understand a new word - 'tip of the tongue moments' and quite a good example to deliver the message of the author of this thread.
    Regards,
    Jagdish

  • #779109

    Points:5
    Getting right word at the right time is a real blessing and luck. Most of us face with a flow-break when we give a speech or write a long essay.
    We may be stuck up for a proper word which may be at he tip of the tongue , but does not flow out. Experienced people will not want to break the flow and instead use a longer phrase or sentence to bring out what they wanted.

    I had experienced this during my elocution competitions in college especially in Hindi. As we do not se Hindi everyday in daily life, the words do not flow as freely as in our mother tongue or to a good extent in English. So instead of hiccups and breaks I used to substitute with Malayalam or English words. Many times that gave the judges a chance to laugh.

    One hilarious but practical example heard in this regard is saying 'wall-crocodile" when you don't get the right word Lizard. This usually happens when we are in a new place and learning a new language for conversation.

    In ISC I have myself felt I could have used another word in a post when I read the post much later.

  • #779231

    Points:5
    This has become an interesting thread as more members have expressed their views about getting the right word at the right time.
    In my experience there are some methods and common techniques which may help in enhancing our capabilities in this area.
    First is solving crosswords. They are a great pastime and enhance our mental power of substituting words or phrases. But we have to note that crosswords generally fall in two categories - cryptic and simple. What we have to do is try more of simple ones as they are the ones which would help us in this matter. Cryptic are more to the riddle side and deciphering them is a different art. Simple crosswords are a great way for learning substitutions of phrases or words with similar ones. In the beginning one can take help from the 'thesaurus' also and later can do it by own efforts.
    Second technique is that there are some word games where we have to write words or identify words or remove the connected ones from the sheet etc and they also help us in practicing getting more words our of our memory.
    Knowledge is power.

  • #779234

    Points:5
    It is indeed true that a particular word, that actually adds to the quality of the content should always be used.

    More than luck, I would tend to think that we ought to listen to world-class experts in the English language who use such words in their conversations and when they write as well.

    One such person is the highly expressive and extremely insightful gentleman called Shashi Tharoor. When he talks, there is not a single word that has any mallu accent. This is pretty common among normal people from Kerala. Their English is actually heavily influenced by their native Malayalam language.

    He has used the word "cattle class"to refer, if I remember correct, the Indian middle class. This invited a new brand of criticism that extended for many weeks. But his English was praised as well by many who had interest in making their command over their language better. Perhaps his experience at the United Nations, where Mr. Tharoor earlier worked, had led him to fabulous levels of competence with the English language.

    Yet, there are many who invent new words and their contribution goes on record forever. The refrence to the "physically handicapped"as "oonutroor" in the Tamil language was considered a rather derogatory reference to their abilities and physical condition.
    The late Dr Karunanidhi, one of the biggest contributors to the Tamil language and to development of Tamil Nadu as a State, when he was Chief Minister, coined the word"maatru thirananeegal" ( differently abed) to refer to their dignity and capabilities. This is exactly what can happen to new words coined by scholars. Dr Kalaignar, as he was famously called, could beat any doctorate in Tamil and there are thousands who have become wiser in Tamil, after reading his books and his contribution to Tamil literature through his talks.

  • #779237

    Points:3
    Yes. getting the right word in the right place gives clarity in communication. But only some people who are very good at the language can do it. As mentioned by Umesh, there are some ways to increase our vocabulary. Reading standard books in that language, understanding the meaning of every word and making our sentences with those words will give us some grip on the subject. Reading as much as possible by keeping the dictionary on our side will give us a chance to improve our skills.
    drrao
    always confident

  • #779240

    Points:4
    How we can converse effectively becomes easy if we are interested in raising our vocabulary in English by way of going seriously through English Newspapers or other standard textbooks in the same language.
    Listening to the lecture in the same language can also be effective provided it is a regular session of a learner. The best way is to use a TV channel to broadcast news or other relevant views in English Channels. Listening carefully and noting down the new words for the clarities through other sources is a great way of our learning process of this literature.

  • #779269

    Points:-5
    [Response removed by Admin. Read forum policies.]
    Phagu Mahato
    Success occurs when opportunity and preparation meet.


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