What are some words that you prefer...

[Charissa]

What are some words that you prefer over their more commonly used synonyms.

To start off...
I prefer the word 'perverted' over 'corrupt'

[Calliopenjo]

For me, it depends on the story that I'm writing. Sometimes, I'll search for a phrase that may be less familiar to the audience. Such as, instead of saying he's as high as a kite, I'll change it to he's floating above the crow's nest.

[Mumut]

What are some words that you prefer over their more commonly used synonyms.

To start off...
I prefer the word 'perverted' over 'corrupt'

The problem with this is, I don't believe the two words are always interchaingeable. There are differences in dictionary meaning and innuendo. So please don't use one word rather than another when it could be wrong.

[Cliff Face]

"Said" over "exclaimed" any day. :) Though of course, they do mean slightly different things, one with more emphasis perhaps, but yeah - I'm a said'er.

[alleycat]

I try to stay away from using "ejaculated" as a dialogue tag.


;-)

[Cliff Face]

Except in romance, I'm sure.

[Charissa]

The problem with this is, I don't believe the two words are always interchaingeable. There are differences in dictionary meaning and innuendo. So please don't use one word rather than another when it could be wrong.


I did mention that I 'prefer' ... Which shouldn't imply that I use the word 'pervert' over 'corrupt' every single time.

[Bufty]

That was a perfectly sound observation from Mumut.

And if one 'prefers' something -it does imply one favours/uses it more than the alternative. Don't be so touchy.

I did mention that I 'prefer' ... Which shouldn't imply that I use the word 'pervert' over 'corrupt' every single time.

[Charissa]

That was a perfectly sound observation from Mumut.

And if one 'prefers' something -it does imply one favours/uses it more than the alternative. Don't be so touchy.

Ugh, whoops! Sorry! It's hard for me to remember that typing doesn't really sound as friendly as actually speaking aloud, which is what I do when I type :S

[IdiotsRUs]

Except in romance, I'm sure.

Only if it's romantic comedy cos you'll make the reader spurt coffee outta their nose


Depends on the character for me. I have one chap who prefers 'highly vexed' to 'bloody annoyed' for instance.

For me I seem to have an unusual preference for the verb 'slide', in all its many contexts.

[Bufty]

:welcome: :Hug2: I like you.

Ugh, whoops! Sorry! It's hard for me to remember that typing doesn't really sound as friendly as actually speaking aloud, which is what I do when I type :S

[CaroGirl]

The difference between the right word and the almost right word is like the difference between lightning and a lightning bug. (or something pretty close to that) ~ Mark Twain

I don't prefer any word over any other. It depends on the context. Every time.

[john barnes on toast]

At the risk of sounding pedantic (what me?) words are rarely interchangeable in a way that gives you the choice of their usage based on their sound or feel.
The point of a word's existence is that it means something unique. Consequently changing any word in a sentence (awaits somebody even more pedantic to cite a contradictory example) will change the sentence's meaning in some small way. That change needs to be considered equally, or even more so, than any aesthetic difference it provides.

[CryHavoc]

Depending on what I write, I at times take great liberties with the english language ( That is in part why they call it Fiction :) )

If I think a word or phrase sounds a bit hackneyed, I try to think of something else. For example "He walked through the fog." Okay, that is a valid sentence....if my goal is to put the reader to sleep... THis in my humble opinion sounds much better...

"His boots made not a sound as he seemed to appear through the mists, seemingly wearing portions of it as a ghostly shroud...

If a need of a different word escapes me, I find that online foreign language engines are a good help along with a bit of creativity in using the word...

Novel #1 258K/ Fan Fiction (Based on Highlander:The Series)http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5050355/1/Highlander_A_Kings_Justice (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5050355/1/Highlander_A_Kings_Justice)

(Unfortnunately, much of the formatting got lost in transmission)

Number equals word count

Novel #2 153K Edited/Done
Novel #3 198K Done
Novel #4 190K Done
Novel #5 197K Edited/Done
Novel #6 WIP 236K (Will be split into more then one novel)

[john barnes on toast]

Depending on what I write, I at times take great liberties with the english language ( That is in part why they call it Fiction :) )

If I think a word or phrase sounds a bit hackneyed, I try to think of something else. For example "He walked through the fog." Okay, that is a valid sentence....if my goal is to put the reader to sleep... THis in my humble opinion sounds much better...

"His boots made not a sound as he seemed to appear through the mists, seemingly wearing portions of it as a ghostly shroud...

If a need of a different word escapes me, I find that online foreign language engines are a good help along with a bit of creativity in using the word...



you probably want to think of another word for 'seem'.

(sorry, but I did already flag myself up as a pedant)

[Charissa]

you probably want to think of another word for 'seem'.

I seem to have the same problem... I overkill the word 'seem' or 'seeming' or 'seemingly' in all my books. It's a real problem.

[Karen Junker]

At the risk of sounding pedantic (what me?) words are rarely interchangeable in a way that gives you the choice of their usage based on their sound or feel.
The point of a word's existence is that it means something unique. Consequently changing any word in a sentence (awaits somebody even more pedantic to cite a contradictory example) will change the sentence's meaning in some small way. That change needs to be considered equally, or even more so, than any aesthetic difference it provides.

Words do have a denotative meaning, but they also have a connotative meaning...so words don't necessarily mean something unique. The word 'Spring', for example, has many meanings, but connotes flowers and new life (per the 4th edition of the American Heritage Dictionary).

[Cliff Face]

I'd love to use the words, "Sprocket rocket," in a serious novel...

Just saying...

[Wayne K]

I use lowbrow words well. I'm writing a memoir, so they fit :D

[mscelina]

I use the words that just seem to work best. I don't worry about synonyms unless got the word too close together too many times.

[TwentyD]

'smart' over 'dumb'.:D

[Wayne K]

'smart' over 'dumb'.:D
Except in the case of beautiful blondes:D

[TwentyD]

Except in the case of beautiful blondes:D

indeed, this is the exception to the rule.:D

[Krintar]

Except in the case of beautiful blondes:D
In cases like this, I prefer using the word 'buxom' to 'beautiful' :tongue

[Salis]

I like "exploded".

It's just so explosive! And it does so many things well, like:

a) adds dynamism

b) raises the stakes ("Oh my god, John's face just exploded!")

c) looks pretty.

[Blind Writer]

I prefer "underwear" over "panties"

(I hate the word "panties".)

[Judg]

This isn't quite the same thing, but in my present WIP I've noticed an unusual fondness for the word rueful/ruefully. Which means I'm going to have to do a search for it and swap it out for something else wherever possible. But it's such a wonderful, wonderful word... And it says what I want to say so perfectly. I guess I want to say the same thing a little too often.

[Lady Ice]

I've often used 'raped' to mean 'gutted' as it's such a violent verb.