DR. ENGLISH: Keeping It Simple
“You, too, can have the vocabulary of a Harvard English major.” You’ve probably seen that advertisement in airline magazines, suggesting that you, too, can develop knowledge of words that other people don’t know, making them feel stupid and, thus, elevating your own self-image.
As it so happens, Dr. English is a Harvard English major, and the only others I know who use words others don’t understand are totally rude. I mean, really, why say “eleemosynary” when “charitable” will do just as well? Why say “have a predilection for” when all it means is “like”? And, at a lower level, why say “utilize” when all it means is “use”?
What about you? How secure or insecure are you about your language skills? The more you opt for the simple alternative, the more secure you are.
| Big Word/Phrase | Smart Alternative |
| prior to | before |
| with respect to | about |
| further information | more information |
| hereinabove | above |
| however | but |
| as well as | and |
| at this point in time | now |
| in lieu of | instead of |
| I’d rather | I’d prefer |
| I would like to thank you for | Thank you for |
| provide with | give |
| subsequently | later |
| is comprised of | comprises |
| expenditure | expense |
| formulate | develop |
| preplan | plan |
| subsequent to | after |
| Having said that | [I know this incredibly stupid transitional phrase that means nothing at all. Wanna hear it?] |
| That said | [Wanna hear another one?] |