We create a good impression when we
write well and use grammar correctly,
and we create a bad impression when
we don't. The real damage lies not in
the miscommunication — the reader still
might understand — but in the impression
it gives our reader. The following five
word pairs confound many writers; to
help you create the good impression,
we want you to know the difference. We
recommend you distribute both of these
articles to others on your team.
ANXIOUS/EAGER
The Story:
I am embarrassed to think of the
thousands of times I used anxious to
describe to friends how I felt about our
upcoming visit. I still see and hear many
people who should know better doing the
same thing, which makes me anxious and
also eager to explain the difference.
The Rule:
Anxious conveys sweaty palms and
concern; eager conveys excitement and
impatience.
A Tip:
If it's going to be fun — use eager; if it's
not going to be fun — use anxious.
We are often "divided by our common language" and
far more frequently confused by our common language.
Some of the culprits boggling our minds are those pesky
word pairs like "less/few," where the concepts are similar, but
the details distinguish your mastery of their meanings.
Gary continues to set us straight on some common
word pairs in Part II of his lesson. Visit the fall issue of the
magazine to see Part I.
If you have questions regarding grammar, usage, style
or any component of writing, visit my blog at http://connect.
iltanet.org/blogs/randi.mayes and post a comment. Gary and
I will respond, and we'll build a nice collection of tidbits over
time.
IMPRESS YOUR
COLLEAGUES WITH
YOUR MASTERY OF
WORD PAIRS
PART II
(Part I appeared in the prior
issue of Peer to Peer)
PEER TO PEER: THE QUARTERLY MAGA ZINE OF ILTA 68
