group 3 - word selection and usage

8/13/2019 Group 3 - Word Selection and Usage

1/19


2/19

Not only is it necessary to be skilled insentence and paragraph construction, you

must also be skilled in selecting and usingwords.


3/19

Avoid the use of excessive or redundantwords. Check each sentence for words than

can be eliminated. Simplify the finishproduct.


4/19

It is a group of related words used to conveyinformation. Its is a form of redundancy that

should be avoided when a single descriptiveword will accomplish the same end.


5/19

It is a noun created from a verb. It weakens asentence by taking the action away from the

actor. They make the sentence passive andless forceful.


6/19

It refers to terms of art used in the legalprofession that are not generally known

outside the profession. Writing in plainEnglish usually accomplishes this goal andplain English should be used when possible.

Legal terms are appropriate whencommunicating with others in the legal field.


7/19

It is those words or phrases frequently usedin the past that are being phased out of legal

writing. Such terms include saith, party of thefirst part, aforesaid, hereinbefore,hereinafter, henceforth and the said party.


8/19

Problem Areas


9/19

Affect: a verb meaning to influence

Effect: either a verb or a noun As a verb: means to bring about or cause

As a noun: results


10/19

Among: use when referring to three or morethings

Between: when referring to two


11/19

And: when used, all the items are includedand required

Or: when used, all the items listed are notrequired to be included. Any one or all of theitems are included

The used ofand/or creates ambiguity and is not proper.


12/19

Council: a deliberative or administrativebody.

Councilor: a member of such body.

Counsel: when used as a verb, means to giveadvice or guidance.

: when used as a noun, means advice. Counselor (counsel): a person, such as a

lawyer, who gives advice or guidance


13/19

Each Other: when referring to two nouns

One Another: when referring to more than

two nouns


14/19

Good: is an adjective (adjectives modifynouns and pronouns). It cannot be used as an

adverb(adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, andadverbs).

Well: can act as an adverb or an adjective.


15/19

Lie: an intransitive verb that means to restor recline. Its forms are lie, lay, lain, lying.

(an intransitive verb is a verb that does not take a directobject)

Lay: a transitive verb that means to put or

place. Its forms are lay, laid, and laying.(a transitive verb takes a direct object)


16/19

Like: should be used as a preposition; itshould be followed by a noun or noun phrase.

As: may act as a conjunction or a prepositionin a sentence.


17/19

Shall: used to impose a duty that ismandatory. The performance of the duty is

not optional. May: indicates that the performance of an act

is not mandatory. The performance of the act

is optional.


18/19

That: use to introduce restrictive clauses Which: use to introduce a nonrestrictive

clauses. A restrictive clause is necessary to the meaning of the

sentence.

A nonrestrictive clause is not necessary to the meaning

of the sentence. It can be set off from the rest of thesentence with commas without changing the meaningof the sentence.


19/19

group 3 - word selection and usage

Documents