Vocabulary Challenges.

When we write, we need to communicate as effectively as we can. And that applies whether we may be a company or organisation executive writing at work, or a private individual flicking off an email. If we use the wrong word, we risk the chance, at least, of being misunderstood, at worst of being misjudged. Here are a few commonly misunderstood words: Adherence, Adhesion – Adherence suggests mental or moral attachment. Adhesion suggests physical attachment He shows ‘adherence’ to the rules. The science teacher discussed the ‘adhesion of the two substances. Among, Between - Use ‘among’ (or amongst) when speaking of three or more. Use ‘between’ for two only Please distribute the books ‘among’ Allan, Colin and Bruce. Please divide the toys ‘between’ Roslyn and Jennifer Appreciable and Appreciate – Use ‘appreciable’ to mean apparent, noticeable and ‘appreciative’ to mean showing appreciation. There is an ‘appreciable profit increase this year. The ‘appreciative’ student thanked her teacher. As, Like - The confusion arises when these two words are used a connecting words. “As” can be used to join two clauses, but ‘like’ which is never a conjunction, cannot. [Remember that a clause must have a verb]. She sings ‘as’ her mother taught her. She sings ‘like a nightingale.’ Consists, Comprises - ‘Consists’ is followed by ‘of’. ‘Comprises’ is not. The house consists of six rooms. The house comprises six rooms. If the impression we create is to be affected by the vocabulary we choose, and if our communication is to succeed or fail depending on our choice of vocabulary, then we need to be as precise as we can. Happy communicating!!