Hi, Dawn!
Hope all goes well.
I have two words that really bother me, and are changed [in my publication] whenever possible:
“utilize” vs. “use:” Why not use the shorter term almost all the time; is there really a difference between them?
Your thoughts?
Best,
David
Thanks for writing in, David. The word choice of “utilize” instead of the simpler “use” has been a pet peeve of mine for a while.
Years ago I worked for an editorial director who ranted for 20 minutes when one of the writers chose the word “utilize.” She tore up press releases that claimed a company’s newest product “utilized” cutting-edge technology. (A double whammy style no-no, in my book!) When she caught a writer using the word, she put little red delete marks through the proofs with so much force she tore the paper. (That should tell you how long ago it was; we were still proofing on paper.) Those kinds of tirades make a lasting impression on a young editorial assistant.
There’s rarely a good reason to choose “utilize” over “use,” although press release writers and journalists often do so. Dictionary.com defines “utilize” as: “To put to use, especially to find a profitable or practical use for.”
Although “utilize” is a synonym of “use,” it has a specific shade of meaning. For instance:
Many small businesses “use” social media, but not as many “utilize” it to increase profits.
Utilize can also mean “to put something to use, not necessarily for its intended purpose:”
In lieu of the proper tool for the job, he utilized his reciprocating saw — again. That Sawz-all has earned its name. (Yes, my husband was doing car repairs over the weekend, if anyone was wondering.)
In short, most times it’s appropriate to write “use.” When in doubt, you can’t go wrong with the handy little three-letter verb.
About v. Approximately
I’m the first person to argue in favor of dropping an “-ly” verb in favor of a shorter adjective, but “approximately” isn’t on my personal list of “-ly” verbs to avoid.
When there’s no exact number available (usually preferable, following Strunk & White’s rule to favor the specific over the abstract), I prefer “approximately” to “about,” because “about” has other meanings.
“I read about 400 books.” Which 400 books did I read about? What did I read about them? Reviews? Jacket copy? Cliff’s Notes? Maybe I’m being silly, but using “about” can lead to ambiguity. If I say, “I read approximately 400 books,” you know exactly what I did. (And where I’ve been for the past week!)
Other grammar experts agree with me, but for different reasons. According to this post, “approximately” conveys more of a sense of exactness than “about.”
“We got there about four o’clock and couldn’t find a seat.”
“There were approximately 150 people attending.”
Keep in mind, if you use approximately, the number should be a true estimation, rounded off to the nearest five or ten. If you have an exact figure, use it, instead.
As with any word choice situation, let your ears and common sense be your guide. And avoid scaring (or scarring!) the office interns when you voice your preference.
Great Post. Thanks