Powerful writing with precise language and visual imagery (2024)

When you write something, your goal should be to create meaning for the readers using precise language. Your writing should stir emotions and invoke visual imagery in the minds of the readers. Using specific words will help you make the text sound more meaningful and thereby communicate with clarity. Avoiding generic words in a sentence is a step towards using precise language.

What is precise language?

Preciselanguage is the use of exact nouns, adjectives, verbs, etc., to help produce vivid mental pictures without resorting to using too many words to convey thoughts. When you use specific words in your writing, you create strong, compelling images in the minds of the readers. It also helps you to get rid of wordiness or excess words to convey the meaning. Use the fewest possible words to embellish your text and make it more intriguing. Enhance the quality of your text using the exact nouns, adjectives, and verbs to avoid verbiage.

What is imprecise language?

Imprecise language means using hackneyed phrases, generic terms, and commonly used words that invariably make your writing bland. Imprecise language might enable us the flexibility to resort to overused words, but it might be detrimental in situations where there is no scope for subjective interpretation. The reason is that imprecise language does not help you to convey your exact thoughts as it is not meaningful. If your readers find your writing boring, then it does not achieve its purpose. The lack of clarity in thought results in vagueness and sometimes leads to multiple interpretations different from what you want to convey.

How is it different from concise language?

While precise language tells you to limn a vivid picture with your words, concise language tells you to do the same thing but in fewer words. Here, the focus is on being economical with your words and presenting a succinct write-up without sacrificing the meaning. Using precise language helps you to achieve concise writing. When you are employing exact nouns and descriptive verbs and adjectives, then you are resorting to lesser words invariably. A laconic piece that is to the point will always grab a reader’s attention. Removing redundancy from your writing will help you deliver a terse and crisp write-up.

Avoid vague writing

As mentioned above, there are certain tricks to avoid vague writing. Learn to be specific with your descriptions. You can do that by using descriptive verbs and appropriate adjectives and avoiding filler phrases and tautologies. Try to adopt an active voice while writing as it makes your text easily understandable and the meaning clear. That’s why it is critical to strengthen your vocabulary, as it will allow you to write a more concise and specific piece.

To expand your vocabulary, it is advisable to blindly follow the age-old tradition of reading. That is still the most tried and tested method. Reading novels or poems of famous writers will enrich your mind and widen your lexicon. You can also play word games, use flashcards on your smartphone, or set a goal of skimming the dictionary and memorizing a new word every day.

But be careful! Do not sacrifice clarity or meaning just for the sake of using unusual words. Precise language is crucial, but you must have the acumen to know when and how to use them. Learning the commonly misused words and phrases, playing with connotations, and implementing figurative language are fitting ways to employ precise words in your text.

Robust vocabulary

Vocabulary helps you to express your thoughts in a clear and concise manner. The objective of your writing is to help the readers create mental images of what they peruse. The interplay of words will help them experience the narrative by activating their senses. Having an extensive vocabulary of precise nouns, adjectives and verbs enables you to convey your thoughts accurately and succinctly.

So, what do we mean by a robust vocabulary? Vocabulary signifies all the words that a particular person or a group of people either use or understand. Every person’s vocabulary is unique and individualistic. So, it’s evident that your stock of words is directly proportional to your communication or writing skills. The more the stock, the better and more effective is your written piece or speech.

A rich vocabulary set nourishes not only your writing skills but also improves your reading, speaking, and comprehension skills. In the case of writing, you need a robust vocabulary to express your thoughts using precise language. Different types of writing have a diverse set of demands and requirements. Using conversational language will not do justice to your writing. Instead, you need to have an excellent command of your language to portray a vivid picture that will grasp the attention of your readers.

We tend to use the wordsgoodandbadtoo often in our language. These general-purpose words are commonly used and should be replaced with words that have definite meanings. To enhance your writing skills, you must recognize and avoid these words for precise language. Another expression that makes your text verbose and obscure isvery. We tend to go overboard with our descriptions and useveryoften to put more emphasis on the related words. Subconsciously,veryis quite natural for us as we are well acquainted with it and its use. But usingveryis not very wise, or rather, we should say, notessential. Let us discuss more.

Precise nouns

Precise nouns mean specific nouns that make your text more lucid and intelligible to your readers.

Examples

1. I will be staying with my relatives for the next two weeks.
I will be staying with my nephews for the next two weeks.

2. The sweet aroma of the flowers permeated the vestibule.
The sweet aroma of the lilacs permeated the vestibule.

3. We found Tabby gorging on pastries in the attic.
We found Tabby gorging on macaroons in the attic.

Precise adjectives

Avoid using commonly used adjectives if you can replace them with specific ones. Precise adjectives help you to produce accurate descriptions and thus generate vivid images in the readers’ minds.

1. These old customs must be abolished as they have no place in today’s world.
These archaic customs must be abolished as they have no place in today’s world.

Examples

2. The juicy, tasty steak was the only item on the menu that I liked.
The juicy, succulent steak was the only item on the menu that I liked.

3. The mouse wasn’t working because of the accumulation of small dust particles inside it.
The mouse wasn’t working because of the accumulation of minute dust particles inside it.

Precise verbs

Vague verbs make for a bland reading. People will lose interest if you don’t pay attention to your verbs. Precise and strong verbs help you to achieve brevity. Using fewer and exact words will help your readers to visualize exactly what you want to convey.

Examples

1. The witch laughed before taking off on her broom.
The witch cackled before taking off on her broom.

2. The player fell on the field, and the medical team rushed to him.
The player collapsed on the field, and the medical team rushed to him.

3. “Will you stop pestering me?” Jim said.
“Will you stop pestering me?” Jim snarled.

Avoiding generic words and phrases

Avoid “very”

It’s necessary to get rid of the word very while describing everything. Using very in your text or speech makes it bland, boring, and repetitive. Look at the sentence below. Very can function as an adjective or an adverb.

He is a very good man who leads a very simple life.

The sentence sounds monotonous and uninteresting. Instead, you can choose specific words to make the sentence sound more engaging and thought-provoking. The English lexicon is saturated with numerous words that you can use to replaceveryto improve your writing skills. Here, you can be precise, for example,excellentin place ofvery goodandbasicforvery simple.

What is the problem with very?

You can tell by reading sentences withverythat they sound dull and boring. But what is the reason for that?Veryis an intensifier. An intensifier is used with an adjective or an adverb to enhance the meaning or make it stronger. In other words, an intensifier shows emphasis and strengthens the phrase beside it. It is known for lending an emotional tinge to the word it describes.

Intensifiers are adverbs or adverbial phrases that do not have any true value. Removing them from a sentence will not affect the meaning of the text. They account for lazy writing, and using them will make you sound melodramatic. That’s why intensifiers are mostly avoided in formal writing. Some of the most common examples of intensifiers are –extremely, really, incredibly, amazingly,etc.

Thus, when you use an intensifier likeveryto modify an adjective or an adverb, it intensifies or augments the degree of emphasis on the modified word. It is recommended to use intensifiers sparingly. If you useveryonce in your piece, it should not dilute your work as such. But using them several times in your text will wreck your writing. To avoid that, you need to build your vocabulary and use precise language to make your text more absorbing.

Example sentences

We have compiled a list of words that you can use instead of very.

1. Ron was very afraid of the dark.
Ron was fearful of the dark.

2. Kelly had a very annoying experience in college.
Kelly had an exasperating experience in college.

3. My father is very busy with work at the moment.
My father is swamped with work at the moment.

4. Gary looked very confused at the conference.
Gary looked perplexed at the conference.

5. John was becoming very depressed as the days went by.
John was becoming despondent as the days went by.

6. His uncle was very fat.
His uncle was obese.

7. We were all very hungry after the long and arduous journey.
We were all starving after the long and arduous journey.

8. My cousin Tara is very lazy and steers clear of all forms of physical exercise.
My cousin Tara is indolent and steers clear of all forms of physical exercise.

9. The journey through the narrow and meandering mountain roads was very risky.
The journey through the narrow and meandering mountain roads was perilous.

10. Paula was very willing to participate in the quiz competition.
Paula was eager to participate in the quiz competition.

Avoid “good”

We all use good frequently. As a matter of fact, we use good to describe anything. Our overindulgence has made us overly dependent on good. But the word itself is unimaginative and imprecise. It doesn’t accurately describe your feelings. A generic term like this doesn’t yield anything. For example, we attach good with everything – good day, good weather, good song, good boy, good reason, etc. It accounts for lazy writing. There are over 200 synonyms of good in the English dictionary. Let’s see what precise words you can use in place of the generic good to improve your writing skills.

To describe someone’s personality

1. Mr White has a good personality that makes him popular.
Mr White has a charismatic personality that makes him popular.

To describe a suggestion or an idea

2. Wanda’s design was good.
Wanda’s design was brilliant.

To describe taste

3. The food at Seb’s is good.
The food at Seb’s is scrumptious.

To describe a view

4. We camped near the lake because the view was good.
We camped near the lake because the view was majestic.

To describe a performance

5. It was a good performance by the travelling players.
It was a breathtaking performance by the travelling players.

Avoid “bad”

Like good’s nemesis, bad is also a generic term and has a broad scope. There are many ways to say bad, and there are over 100 alternatives for the word. Some of them might not be synonyms and are only applicable in specific situations. We must be careful of the connotations while using them. Take a look at the few examples below. Precise language helps us to create more meaningful sentences.

1. The teacher warned him of bad consequences.
The teacher warned him of dire consequences.

2. The bad weather hampered our hiking plans.
The inclement weather hampered our hiking plans.

3. The local gang was infamous for its involvement in several bad activities.
The local gang was infamous for its involvement in several nefarious activities.

4. Some of the language used in the show was bad.
Some of the language used in the show was obscene.

5. The shabby factory beside Ray’s house gave off a bad smell.
The shabby factory beside Ray’s house gave off an unpleasant smell.

Avoid “important”

The literal meaning ofimportantis something or someone having great significance, value, or influence. We tend to useimportantin our speech and writing way too often. Especially in writing, the overuse of the adjective makes our piece dull and stale. Althoughimportantis an important word, it should be used sparingly. There are numerous synonyms of the term, but you must be careful while using them, particularly in formal writing. The use of precise language will lend your text more sharpness and coherence. Reading and exploring more will give you a better understanding of context. Let’s check a few examples below.

1. The scientists and researchers made an important contribution to medical science with the development of the vaccine.
The scientists and researchers made a significant contribution to medical science with the development of the vaccine.

2. China is regarded as an important centre for the cotton textile industry. China is regarded as a major centre for the cotton industry.

3. He played an important role in the development of the structure.
He played a crucial role in the development of the structure.

4. The endocrine system regulates various important bodily functions.
The endocrine system regulates various vital bodily functions.

5. Roy made important donations to several charitable organizations.
Roy made substantial donations to several charitable organizations.

Avoid “I think“

The phrase I think is used often in speech or writing. Usually, it’s recommended not to use the phrase at all if you want to sound confident or assertive. But it’s helpful to have a solid vocabulary and know the alternative phrases that will make your speech or writing more compelling. These phrases make you put forth your point clearly and are particularly useful in persuasive writing or arguments/debates. Let us look at a few of the examples below.

1. I think the movie is disjointed and amateurish.
In my opinion, the movie is disjointed and amateurish.

2. I think the event was a huge success.
From my point of view, the event was a huge success.

3. I think the whole thing sounds too good to be true.
If you ask me, the whole thing sounds too good to be true.

4. I think that Ingrid is up to something.
It seems to me that Ingrid is up to something.

5. I think she wants to sell the mansion.
As far as I can tell, she wants to see the mansion.

Avoid “There are” or “There is”

Weak sentence: There is a requirement from the school to have all children dressed in full uniform every day.
Strong sentence: The school requires that all children must be dressed in full uniform every day.

Practice Worksheets

More Reading

Strong verbs for precise writing
5 effective ways to improve your creative writing
Figurative Language and 8 Most Common Uses in Creative Writing
Adjectives to describe a person
Adjectives to describe a friend
Vocabulary
BBC – Intermediate vocabulary