Choosing the Right Words (1)
选择正确的词（1）

　　To write clear, precise prose we must use the English language efficiently. That means our words and phrases should be properly positioned and should clearly denote our intended meaning. When we fail to write with precision, words lose their flavor, sentences fail to express ideas, and the vitality of our thoughts dissipates.
　　Although good diction is most difficult to achieve, we may avoid bad diction by not breaking the following rules:

1. Avoid clichés - keep your language fresh.
　　Clichés are expressions that have lost their vitality from overuse. When someone first used the expression as beautiful as a flower to describe a good-looking girl, he had been creative; but the expression has lost its flavor due to overuse. So clichés are excuses for originality that prevent us from expanding our vocabulary and refining our thoughts. Here are some of the most awkward clichés; there are, of course, many more: Busy as a bee / diamond in the rough / doomed to failure / easier said than done / better late than never / gentle as a lamb / hit the nail on the head / it goes without saying / last but not least / this day and age / time is money / to make a long story short / slowly but surely …

Exercise 1:

Correct the following sentences by replacing the clichés with more precise and vigorous expression of your own.

1) We discovered the hydraulic system failure in the nick of time.
2) In this day and age it's difficult to save money.
3) It goes without saying that our company must increase its cash flow, or it will be doomed to failure.
4) Making money in a tight money market is easier said than done.
5) Robert found a diamond in the rough when he married Claudia.

2. Avoid jargon - make your writing precise.
　　We use clichés when we rely on timeworn expressions to convey our meaning, but we use jargon when we turn to unusual or technical language to express our meaning. Jargon is private language, usually developed within particular institutions, subjects and professions. Many jargon expressions have legitimate meanings within a restricted context. For instance, the term "bottom line" may be used in an accounting office; the term "address the issue" is a favorite expression by most politicians. But when these terms and others like them are used in everyday language, that is, when the context has changed, they sound awkward and overbearing.

Exercise 2

Correct the following sentences by replacing the jargon expressions with your own words and expressions.

1) I can relate to your position, but can you identify with my special circumstances?
2) In the upcoming semester we will hire someone in the engineering field to teach a construction course.
3) I need her financial input before I can budget our expenditures next fall.
4) If you contact our representative in Lanzhou, he will dialogue with our advertising agency next week.
5) If you do not soon address the issue of wages, we will have a strike on our hands.