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.