The Perils of Diction

Filched from here

Let's take a step into the world of word choice, or diction. For a brief interlude into the elements of style (tone and diction), look here, and read up on how diction fits into a writing piece as a whole. Otherwise—all our readings up—let's dive in...



I know that lots of writers choose which word to use via the dreaded Thesaurus tool in Microsoft Word. Oh, look at the options! And it's so handy—just a click away.

For instance, I needed another word for determine because determine just didn't roll off the tongue hale right. (There goes my misuse of the Thesaurus just right there.)

In determining the outcome of this marriage, I should say slay the groom!

Instead of determining, I thought resolving sounded much better. Resolve also has a remedy-meaning to it; a positive. Whereas another synonym of determine available through Microsoft Word's Thesaurus, conclude, just didn't fit my intended meaning (how do you conclude a marriage anyway?).

Now, aftermath also fits much better into the meaning I'm trying to achieve than outcome. Plus, in keeping with my voice, I want to retain slay, as that imbues sarcasm, but I'll change say to...what?

Word's Thesaurus doesn't know if you mean the verb say or the noun? Shall I replace say with approximately or impart? The options this Thesaurus gives us for say numbers in the dozens and dozens. Which to choose? Which best keeps with the voice, while enhancing style, while not confusing tone or meaning?

At this point, it might be best to proclaim bullocks! and stick with the simple, top-of-the-mind word of say which I originally wrote. Trying to shove a more complicated, smarter-sounding verb-form of say in there would just screw up the whole flow of the sentence and actually end up distracting my reader's attention. (But we wordsmiths so love our thesauruses we can get a little carried away...)

Anyways, now my sentence reads:

In resolving the aftermath of this marriage, I should say slay the groom! 

However, upon proofreading, I realize that groom should be changed. However again, Microsoft Word's Thesaurus gives me over a dozen options for groom the verb (such as coach, tidy, and clean), but not groom the noun. In any case, memory serves me, and I place husband in place of groom and have:

In resolving the aftermath of this marriage, I should say slay the husband! 

Now, look back at what we began with (In determining the outcome of this marriage, I should say slay the groom!) and what we have now. If this were dialogue, I would judge tone to be retained but the meaning of the sentence, most importantly, is made more precise and sensible.

Every word, in English, as far as I know, has a gradient of definitions. One perusal of this MacMillan site shows the primary and secondary definitions of determine as well as phonology, perhaps etymology and other useful information about the word. (All of which is unavailable through Microsoft Word's simple Thesaurus button, I might add.)

There are many elements that go into the choosing of what words to say when. But definition, particularly in the primary and secondary meanings of the word, are forefront. Even though that definition changes over time (hence the need for repeated editions of dictionaries). Furthermore, context, intent, the author's style and voice, all play additional roles in diction. But meaning and definition should come first when considering what word to use.

Thus, I don't recommend using a thesaurus (any thesaurus) without a dictionary at hand.