1 Choosing Precise Words

Choose words for meaning

Precise word choice helps readers understand exactly what you mean. Choose words for the meaning they convey and for how well they fit the reader and purpose—not because they sound long or impressive.

Concise writing is not simply short writing. It retains words that do useful work and removes or replaces words that do not.

Use specific, concrete wording

Vague words such as thing, good, bad, a lot, and really can leave readers guessing. When you know the more exact meaning, replace vague wording with Concrete words and precise verbs that tell readers what happened.

• Vague: The student did a good thing for the garden.

• More precise: The student planted six tomato seedlings in the school garden.

• Vague: The coach talked about the problem.

• More precise: The coach explained why the team missed practice.

Specificity should match what you know. Do not invent details to make a sentence sound precise. If the exact number or cause is unknown, say so or choose a suitably broad description.

Match wording to readers

A word can be technically accurate and still confuse readers, sound too informal, or be too specialized. Consider what the Audience already knows and what the writing needs to accomplish.

For a general audience, explain unfamiliar terms or choose familiar alternatives. For a specialist audience, accepted technical terms can add accuracy. Plain language favors clarity and precision over unnecessary jargon.

• For a general audience: The device measures how quickly the heart beats.

• For a clinical audience: The monitor measures heart rate.

Both versions can be clear and accurate for their readers. The best choice depends on the audience and purpose.

Remove vague and redundant wording

During revision, look for general phrases that hide the main action and for words that repeat an idea already expressed. Replace a wordy phrase with a direct one when the meaning stays the same.

• made a decision → decided

• due to the fact that → because

• a period of three weeks → three weeks

• completely finished → finished

• many different kinds → many kinds

Redundancy can be useful for emphasis, but in ordinary informational writing it often slows readers without adding meaning. Remove repeated or unnecessary wording when it contributes no distinct meaning.

Revise for clarity and accuracy

Use this sequence to revise a sentence while keeping its meaning accurate and clear:

1. Identify the point. Decide exactly what you want the reader to understand.

2. Circle general words. Look for words such as thing, nice, bad, stuff, and a lot.

3. Ask what you mean. Consider whether you can name the action, object, amount, reason, or result more exactly.

4. Check the audience. Make sure readers will understand the word and that its level of formality is appropriate.

5. Remove repetition. Delete words or phrases that add no distinct meaning.

6. Read the sentence again. Check that the revision is accurate, natural, and easy to follow.

For example, a broad judgment can be replaced with observable details when those details are known:

• Before: There were a lot of problems with the event, and it was not very good.

• After: The event started 30 minutes late, and the sound system failed twice.

If those details are not known, do not invent them. A more honest revision might be: Several problems disrupted the event.