Use Familiar Words

“The first law of writing,” said Macaulay, “that law to which all others are subordinate, is this: that the words employed shall be such as to convey to the reader the meaning of the writer.” Toward that end, use familiar words—words that your readers will understand, and not words they will have to look up. No advice is more elementary, and no advice is more difficult to accept. When we feel an impulse to use a marvelously exotic word, let us lie down until the impulse goes away.

JAMES J. KILPATRICK

Comments

[Epiphanie]

As a reader, I love learning a new word from a writer. If everyone used only familiar words, the richness of the English language would be lost. I want difference and diversity, not standardisation that appeals to the masses.

[Amydu]

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[Maranda]

While writing also brings the benefit of learning new words and expanding your vocabulary, there is a fine line between trying to "educate" your readers and proving that you know how to use a thesaurus. Personally, I say the more likely you are to reach a large number of people with your words, the better.