Use concrete nouns and strong verbs - Step 6 – Revise

7 Steps to Better Writing - Charles Maxwell 2020

Use concrete nouns and strong verbs
Step 6 – Revise

Use concrete nouns and strong verbs. Leave abstractions to philosophers.

Abstract words convey general ideas. Often they are ambiguous. Typical abstract nouns include: ability, activity, basis, case, character, circumstance, concept, condition, connection, course, effect, effort, extent, facility, factor, instance, intent, interest, manner, measure, method, nature, necessity, order, policy, position, possibility, practice, problem, prospect, purpose, quality, question, reason, relationship, responsibility, result, situation, standpoint, substance, system, type, use, utilization, view. Abstract verbs include words such as achieve, characterize, change, develop, do, go, happen, manifest, provide, realize, utilize.

Concrete nouns represent things that can be seen, felt, touched, tasted, smelled, or specifically identified. Action verbs indicate real movement or activity.

Compare the following abstract words to their more concrete counterparts.

Abstract Nouns

Concrete Nouns or Noun Phrases

authority

State Board of Health / Food and Drug Administration / state auditor / controller / office manager

communication

letter / email / phone call / report

conformity

plus or minus 0.01 mm tolerance

concept

plan to sell a new insurance plan

effort

basic engineering / draft proposal / 120 hours worked

idea

written proposal / preliminary diagnosis / architectural sketch / verbal suggestion

interest

job application / phone call seeking information / email inquiry

obligation

performance contract

Abstract Verbs

Action Verbs or Verb Phrases

achieve

produce 50,000 liters per day / install 55% / proof the report / sell ten new policies

conceptualize

calculate output / draft report / draft a sketch on the whiteboard

conform

not exceed tensile strength of 58,000 pounds per square inch (psi)

endeavor

work overtime / recalculate the loads

remain loyal

stay with current supplier

Many abstract nouns also have concrete meanings. For instance, in the phrase “instrument case,” the word case is concrete; whereas, in the phrase “the case for reconsidering the design,” the word case is abstract.

Even concrete nouns and action verbs vary in their degree of concreteness. Consider the following examples, which contrast general words to more specific words or phrases.

General Nouns

Specific Noun Phrases

activity

drilling / machining / sandblasting / examining sick patients / selling / writing computer code

analysis

soil testing / x-ray / blood sugar test

design

AutoCAD drawing of the floor pipes

facility

crushing plant / product packaging line / vehicle repair shop / operating room

line

stainless steel cold rolling mill

material

soil / heavy gauge structure steel / 4-mm polypropylene / 1-inch conduit

personnel

waiters / clerks / nurses / technicians / managers

professional

electrical engineer / hygienist / proposal writer

work

excavation / compacted backfill / painting / audit accounts payable

General Verbs

Specific Verb Phrases

analyze

weigh the samples / conduct breakage tests / test the resistance

communicate

send a letter or email / telephone / talk face-to-face / read incoming mail

decrease

decline by 10% per year

increase

double in three days

measure

survey with laser transit / gauge with micrometer / weigh / take person’s temperature

produce

pump 170,000 barrels per month of heavy crude oil / generate 150 MW / write 600 lines of code

simulate

run Aspen HYSYS modeling software

Often, professionals pile abstractions on top of generalizations, yielding almost meaningless gobbledygook. The following examples illustrate the improved economy and clarity achieved by using concrete nouns and action verbs.


Poor: Abstract Writing

-

The ability to economize is a policy that should be sought after to a large degree.


Better: Concrete Writing

+

Encourage thrift.


Poor: Abstract Writing

-

Achieving a high level of attainment of financial performance can be obtained by the successful utilization of a standard collection of operating practices.


Better: Concrete Writing

+

Operating standards ensure profitability.


Poor: Abstract Writing

-

The practice of understanding the requirements of the business relative to financial principles is a reassuring trend in the development of situations that lead to success.


Good: Concrete Writing

+

Profit and loss statements provide the information investors need.

The following sentence by John Dewey illustrates abstraction taken to the extreme:[16]

Consequences that successfully solve the problems set by the conditions which give rise to the need of action supply the basis by means of which acts, originally ’naturally’ performed, become the operations of the art of scientific experimentation.

In conclusion, avoid abstractions—use specific language consisting of concrete nouns and action verbs.