{"id":7824,"date":"2013-09-06T23:12:43","date_gmt":"2013-09-06T23:12:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/?page_id=7824"},"modified":"2026-03-26T12:54:41","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T17:54:41","slug":"word-usage","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/word-usage\/","title":{"rendered":"Word Usage in Sentences"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\t\t\t<div id=\"mmDeferVideoEncompass_a4hJCCXOneA\" style=\"position: relative;\">\n\t\t\t<picture>\n\t\t\t\t<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/circle-play-duotone.webp\" type=\"image\/webp\">\n\t\t\t\t<source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/circle-play-duotone.png\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"> \n\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"eager\" id=\"videoThumbnailImage_a4hJCCXOneA\" data-source-videoID=\"a4hJCCXOneA\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/circle-play-duotone.png\" alt=\"Word Usage in Sentences Video\" height=\"464\" width=\"825\" class=\"size-full\" data-matomo-title = \"Word Usage in Sentences\">\n\t\t\t<\/picture>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<style>img#videoThumbnailImage_a4hJCCXOneA:hover {cursor:pointer;} img#videoThumbnailImage_a4hJCCXOneA {background-size:contain;background-image:url(\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/105-word-usage-resized-1-1.webp\");}<\/style>\n\t\t\t<script defer>\n\t\t\t  jQuery(\"img#videoThumbnailImage_a4hJCCXOneA\").click(function() {\n\t\t\t\tlet videoId = jQuery(this).attr(\"data-source-videoID\");\n\t\t\t\tlet helpTag = '<div id=\"mmDeferVideoYTMessage_a4hJCCXOneA\" style=\"display: none;position: absolute;top: -24px;width: 100%;text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;font-size: small;border-top: 1px solid #fc0;\">Having trouble? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v='+videoId+'\" target=\"_blank\">Click here to watch on YouTube.<\/a><\/span><\/div>';\n\t\t\t\tlet tag = document.createElement(\"iframe\");\n\t\t\t\ttag.id = \"yt\" + videoId;\n\t\t\t\ttag.src = \"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/\" + videoId + \"?autoplay=1&controls=1&wmode=opaque&rel=0&egm=0&iv_load_policy=3&hd=0&enablejsapi=1\";\n\t\t\t\ttag.frameborder = 0;\n\t\t\t\ttag.allow = \"autoplay; fullscreen\";\n\t\t\t\ttag.width = this.width;\n\t\t\t\ttag.height = this.height;\n\t\t\t\ttag.setAttribute(\"data-matomo-title\",\"Word Usage in Sentences\");\n\t\t\t\tjQuery(\"div#mmDeferVideoEncompass_a4hJCCXOneA\").html(tag);\n\t\t\t\tjQuery(\"div#mmDeferVideoEncompass_a4hJCCXOneA\").prepend(helpTag);\n\t\t\t\tsetTimeout(function(){jQuery(\"div#mmDeferVideoYTMessage_a4hJCCXOneA\").css(\"display\", \"block\");}, 2000);\n\t\t\t  });\n\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t<\/script>\n\t\t\n<p><script>\nfunction SZU_Function() {\n  var x = document.getElementById(\"SZU\");\n  if (x.style.display === \"none\") {\n    x.style.display = \"block\";\n  } else {\n    x.style.display = \"none\";\n  }\n}\n<\/script><\/p>\n<div class=\"moc-toc hide-on-desktop hide-on-tablet\">\n<div><button onclick=\"SZU_Function()\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/toc2.svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"show or hide table of contents\"><\/button><\/p>\n<p>On this page<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<nav id=\"SZU\" style=\"display:none;\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Choose_Words_that_Make_Sense\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Choose Words that Make Sense<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Know_Your_Audience\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Know Your Audience<\/a>\n<ul><\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h3\"><a href=\"#Connotation\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Connotation<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"toc-h2\"><a href=\"#Write_with_Clarity\" class=\"smooth-scroll\">Write with Clarity<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"accordion\"><input id=\"transcript\" type=\"checkbox\" class=\"spoiler_button\" \/><label for=\"transcript\">Transcript<\/label>\n<div class=\"spoiler\" id=\"transcript-spoiler\">\n<p>Hey, there! Welcome to this video on word usage.<\/p>\n<p>Word usage is important when writing or speaking because word usage is what helps us to clearly articulate points with meanings and forms that are appropriate for the <a class=\"ylist\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/context\/\">context<\/a> and structure of a sentence. Understanding words and how to use them will greatly improve your ability to be an effective writer.<\/p>\n<p>Here are three things to consider when deciding what words to use in your writing:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Does this word actually make sense in the context?<\/li>\n<li>Who is your audience?<\/li>\n<li>Are you being clear?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><span id=\"Choose_Words_that_Make_Sense\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Choose Words that Make Sense<\/h2>\n<p>\nYou must know what the word you are trying to use actually means.<\/p>\n<p>For example:<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\">The fish galloped through the water.<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\nThe word <em>gallop<\/em> is a poor word choice. The fish may have been going fast, but the word <em>gallop<\/em> is reserved for the quickest speed of a four-legged animal and mainly just refers to a horse.<\/p>\n<p>A more appropriate word to use might be \u201cthe fish swam through the water,\u201d or, if you really want your audience to be able to better envision the speed of the fish, you might say \u201cthe fish darted through the water,\u201d or perhaps add an adverb like <em>quickly<\/em> in front of <em>swam<\/em>. \u201cThe fish quickly swam through the water.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>There are several words out there you can use that would be appropriate, but there are also several wrong ones, so be sure to choose words that make sense in the context.<\/p>\n<p>Another way we can use words that don\u2019t make sense is by misusing words that sound the same, but, depending on spelling, have different meanings.<\/p>\n<p>For example, <em>their<\/em>, <em>there<\/em>, and <em>they\u2019re<\/em> all sound the exact same but mean different things.<\/p>\n<p><em>Their<\/em> shows possession of something and is generally always followed by a noun. <\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\">We went to their home for dinner.<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n<em>Their<\/em> insinuates ownership of the home. I wouldn\u2019t use <em>their<\/em> when talking about the proximity of someone: \u201cShe\u2019s over their.\u201d The correct word is \u201cshe is over there.\u201d <\/p>\n<p><em>Their<\/em>, <em>there<\/em>, and <em>they\u2019re<\/em> can be used in several different ways. It can be used as an adverb, a pronoun that introduces a noun, an adjective, or a noun referring to a place.<br \/>\nThe word <em>they\u2019re<\/em> is a contraction of <em>they are<\/em>, and, generally, is followed by a verb, as in \u201cthey\u2019re coming with us.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Know_Your_Audience\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Know Your Audience<\/h2>\n<p>\nUnderstanding who your audience is is very important as a writer. For instance, if you are writing to second-graders vs. writing to the president of the United States, those two letters will be very different. At least they should be. When writing to second-graders, you want to stay away from more complex words that they don\u2019t yet understand, and when writing to the president, you want to write in a manner that is professional and respectful. <\/p>\n<p>Age difference and authority aren\u2019t the only distinctions to make about your audience; cultural differences may also apply. Sometimes words or phrases can have different <a class=\"ylist\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/denotation-and-connotation\/\">connotations<\/a> depending on the culture.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Connotation\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Connotation<\/h3>\n<p>\nConnotation refers to the societal undertones, cultural implications, or emotions tied to certain words or phrases.<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s look at some examples:<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\">In this city, 49% of people are mooching off of the government.<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\nIn this sentence, the word <em>mooching<\/em> has a negative connotation, suggesting that the people are selfishly taking advantage of the government.<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\">In this city, 49% of people are on welfare.<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\nIn this sentence, you have simply stated an objective fact, making the connotation neutral.<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\">In this city, 49% of people are in need of financial assistance.<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\nIn this sentence, the word <em>need<\/em> suggests that the people have done all they can, and it is still not enough, making the connotation positive.<\/p>\n<p>Each of these sentences suggests very different things because of the word use. So be careful and considerate in the way that you write. You\u2019re writing may suggest something that you did not intend for it to, so give thought to how words might be perceived by your audience when writing.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Write_with_Clarity\" class=\"m-toc-anchor\"><\/span>Write with Clarity<\/h2>\n<p>\nWhen you write with clarity, this makes your writing easy to follow and easy to understand. If you just try to embellish your writing by throwing really big words in places to try and show mastery, then you risk confusing your audience. <\/p>\n<p>Clarity is always the answer. Clarity is mastery. If you can write in a way that is clear, simple, and effective, then you have succeeded.<\/p>\n<p>Here is what I\u2019m talking about.<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\" style=\"text-align: left;\">Our core competencies include, but are not limited to ideating holistic and innovative business plans that, in effect, will invoke a world-class paradigm shift.<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\nThis is too much, or should I say &#8220;this is extraordinarily beyond what is desired.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>It is not a bad thing, and it can be useful to use larger words, but when it is overdone, your writing can become ineffective, confusing, and it can lose the attention of your audience.<\/p>\n<p>We can rewrite the sentence, to make it clear, direct, and effective without all the jargon.<\/p>\n<div class=\"transcriptcallout\" style=\"text-align: left;\">We specialize in developing, and improving business plans to help you see growth.<\/div>\n<p>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\nI\u2019ve made it short and direct, and I\u2019ve said all the same things in fewer words.<\/p>\n<p>The more you write, the more comfortable, and confident you will be in your ability to choose appropriate wording.<\/p>\n<p>I hope this video was helpful!<\/p>\n<p>See you next time!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"home-buttons\">\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/writing\/\">Return to Writing Videos<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Return to Writing Videos<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":91108,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":{"0":"post-7824","1":"page","2":"type-page","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"page_category-video-pages-for-study-course-sidebar-ad","7":"page_category-writing-videos","8":"page_type-video","9":"subject_matter-english"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7824","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7824"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7824\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":280355,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7824\/revisions\/280355"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/91108"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/academy\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7824"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}