Notes from A Wordsmith’s Desk - Part 1

In my work as a professional wordsmith, one of the ways I add value to documents arises through correcting or improving the choice of words to express ideas, sentiments, or facts. This article provides an informative glimpse at the process of making such editorial revisions.

correcting, abbreviating
When editorial revision does not involve correction (e.g. the draft says “adverse” where it ought to say “averse” so I make the change) it often involves replacing a broad expression with briefer, more specific terms. For example, if a draft were to say “He said nice things about the speech she gave,” I might rewrite that as “He praised her speech.”

knowing the differences
Sometimes, when I make such improvements, the improvement is not recognized as such. For example, many people use “in spite of” as if it means the same as “despite” and never consider that the two expressions differ in meaning. This article draws attention to such distinctions so that its readers may better serve their readers with better word choice.

Example A
averse – disinterested, avoidant, turned away

adverse – difficult, harsh, turned against

In context: “Fearing adverse weather, they felt averse to sailing.”

Example B
in spite – in defiance, with hatred or malice, against

despite – notwithstanding, turning a blind eye to, regardless of

In context: “Some adolescents act in spite of their parents, despite their dependence on them.”

Example C
complimentary – flattering, lauding, praising

complementary – going with, on the house, free

In context: “She received complimentary comments on her hair after using the complementary shampoo from the hotel room.”

when differences are not recognized
Example C led to some trouble for me years ago because some people looked up the words in their dictionaries and found that the two were listed as merely different spellings of the same word with an inclusive list of meanings. This raises a problem when dictionaries describe rather than prescribe word use (discussed in my next article).

knowing the roots
Despite dictionaries overlooking it, the distinction between complimentary and complementary has an etymological basis. Complementary comes from the same Latin root as complete and plenty. Complimentary comes from French and exemplifies a Latin-derived word altered in meaning and in spelling as part of another language. English gets both words because of their differences in meaning and spelling. Yet, their treatment as merely different spellings of one word likely comes from the concept of a gratuity – when something is given freely as an expression of thanks. Serve your own readers with knowledge such as this and they might owe you thanks.

- Glenn R Harrington
Articulate Consultants
www.articulate.ca