A Quick-and-Easy Reference to Correct Grammar and Composition

Your vocabulary is the keystone to your manner of communication. One rule of thumb that I have always tried to employ is to express an idea in as few words as is necessary (which does not mean sacrificing the utilization of the most descriptive and vivid words and phrases).

Not only should you want to know which exact word will communicate your precise thought, but you should also want to be able to express your idea in a variety of ways, if necessary and when appropriate, so as to capture and then hold your audience.

A dictionary, with respect to your self‑development, can therefore serve as your “best friend.” You should own a good, standard college dictionary. Do not let the word “college” throw you. In such a dictionary the material is not necessarily “harder,” but in it you will find the proper pronunciation of a word and a fairly complete definition.

It is essential that you read and understand the entire definition a dictionary provides. Definitions are groups of words and phrases that can only give you a general idea of what a word means‑‑its shades of meaning; the definition suggests how the word should be used. Therefore, taking part of a definition out of context can, at times, mislead you as to the use of the word. For example, for the word culmination, the Webster's Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary* tells us it is a noun whose meaning is "the action of culminating. . . ." Since the dictionary has used part of a word to define the same word, it is necessary in this case to look up culminate which happens to be a verb and means: “to be directly overhead; to rise to or form a summit. . . .”  If we were to stop there with the definition, we could be easily misled. A ceiling light is overhead but is that a culmination?  If, however, we continue with Webster's definition, we read:   “to reach the highest or a climactic point; to bring to a head or to the highest point.”

Thus, when all the various shades of meaning are taken into consideration, we determine that culmination could be used this way:  “The culmination of the actress's career was when she won an Academy Award”‑‑not this way:  “The culmination of the room is the ceiling light.”

Many words are used in many different ways so it is essential to read the entire meaning provided. Often examples are given which further clarify the meaning of the word too. Using orchestrate, as an example, we observe the following:

orchestrate v. (1) to compose or arrange (music) for an orchestra (2) to arrange or combine so as to achieve a maximum effect

Thus, (1) The conductor orchestrated the symphony in a most melodious way. On the other hand, (2) The general orchestrated his new military campaign in such a way as to surround the unsuspecting enemy and force its surrender.

A dictionary will also tell you how a word is used by indicating its part(s) of speech. (See Appendix A for a list of the basic parts of speech, what they mean, and examples of their use and Appendix G for additional relevant terminology.)  Some words can be used in different ways or are even pronounced differently according to their parts of speech. For instance, let us use the word progress: