Wild Rose Learning

Here’s how not to sound like you’re forcing big words.

At the beginning of each month, I like to give my students a writing prompt.

I do this because I find it’s a great way to examine their grammar and communication skills.

Over many years of doing this, I’ve noticed I have two types of students: one who frequently uses big words and one who occasionally does it.

And the one who uses a large vocabulary a lot, well, their stories sound much more unnatural than the other students’ stories.

It’s also more difficult to read.

When I read their writing, the big words sound forced. It’s as if they’re just adding them to sound smart.

Whereas the other students’ stories, the flow sounds natural and the big words are used in the right context. They sound like words they use regularly.

So, when you are having a conversation with someone (or writing something), don’t force in words because you won’t sound natural. The “forcing of words” can be heard.

Instead, use words that you use every day.

However, just because you shouldn’t use big words for half of your sentence, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t improve your vocabulary.

Having a vast vocabulary is beneficial because it will help you explain and communicate your ideas more effectively.

So, continue to learn new words. But learn them in a different way.

How You Should Build Vocabulary

Rather than learning new words through a dictionary or thesaurus (or one of those new-word calendars), you should build your vocabulary by reading fiction.

Here’s why: A dictionary and thesaurus will teach you the definitions of the words. They may even give you an example of how the word is used.

But when you read fiction, it shows you how to use unfamiliar words naturally in communication.

For example, let’s use the word concealed.

If you type it into your search engine of choice and look for its meaning, it’ll most likely say:

“Concealed is an adjective that describes something kept hidden, out of sight, or covered.”

Now, let’s see how it’s used in the novel Babel by R.F. Kuang:

“We can’t keep a body concealed for six weeks.”

Which example helps you use the word in a conversation better?

The second one, because it shows you how to use it.

However, there is a chance you can’t figure out the unfamiliar word’s definition using context clues (these are hints or words in the sentence that help you figure out the definition).

In this case, you will have to use a dictionary.

I know, I know –it’s been sounding like I’ve been telling you not to use your dictionary.

No, that’s not what I’ve been trying to say. 

What I have been saying is that you shouldn’t make the dictionary and thesaurus your main methods for building your vocabulary.

They should be used as a secondary source. You should only use them when you can’t figure out a word’s meaning through context clues.

Therefore, read a novel if you want to improve your conversational English.

If you want to improve your grammar but are not sure how, try my free worksheets to see if they help you. You can find them here.