English Language ..... Usage of words .. Tips

Dear friends, 

I would like to share with you a few points regarding proper usage of words(Vocabulary) in its proper context.(Written communication in English Language).

Of course , we should get to acquaint with more number of words day by day.

It should be understood that we can write effective and impressive letters ,even with a limited Vocabulary.

It is always better to draft a communication in a simple way ., (instead of using a new word without knowing about its true meaning and its correct usage.)

Proper fitting of words in proper places in the proper context is like making a beautiful wreath(of flowers)/garland.

...........Let us see a few examples...

One Idiom is as follows:

"Get down to brasstacks".(This is Informal).

This means "Start to consider the basic facts or practical details".

But a part of this Idiom "brasstacks" , was incorrectly used as a word and also as a wrong fitting [ instead of the apt word "Programme"I ] in the Invitation/Journal .

This Invitation /Journal was for the annual Meeting/Conference of one Association .

(it was some 24 or more than 24 years ago)

They had wrongly used "brasstacks " instead of the correct &appropriate word "Programme/Agenda".

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See the word "ineffable".

Meaning:....."Causing so much emotion, pleasure especially,that it cannot be described."

Therefore the correct usage is:

"Ineffable Joy /Beauty......

It will not be apt to write as: ...".Ineffable walk .....".Ineffable gratitude".

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It is "Ex tempore Speech" to mean "the speech delivered on a topic instantly without any preparation and without any advance information about the "Topic of the Speech".

It is not so for "Writing".

It is not correct to say "Ex tempore Writing".

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We should always keep in mind that the "technical words" should only be used in the official letters ....orders ,to have the clear meaning. Alternative words even with the same meaning will not give the true meaning.

For Example, in our Dept . when we refer to the delivery area distance for time-factor based workload calculation purpose we say /write as"THE DISTANCE TRAVERSED by the postman /delivery official for delivery"

The word "TRAVERSED" could not be replaced by the word "TRAVELLED" or any other word.

Because it is the area covering streets .. paths ..curved paths ... lanes ..roads etc . One has to traverse his delivery area for doing his delivery work.

The Deptl Authorities have,in their wisdom, chosen and used this word.

Similarly the word "tract" . It indicates the route .....area.(for delivery work).

We have to say "the Tract is cycleable or not cycleable".

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I have given this tips by refreshing my memory with my little bit of knowledge in the subject matter .

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Article by

Shri. N.INBALAGAN.

Retd SSPOS(STS Grade)

Gingee 604202.

Mobile No.9442187555.