Posted on by Don McMinn
Superlatives
Superlative adjectives are seldom used correctly and they’re often overused. When we use words like best, worst, greatest, most, never, and always, we typically use them for emphasis, not accuracy. It’s sloppy usage and if used too often, the terms lose their meaning. Furthermore, overusing superlatives will ultimately undermine your credibility and weaken your voice. Used infrequently, they gain strength.
It’s easy to get into the habit of using superlatives casually or mindlessly: “It was the funniest thing I’ve ever heard” or “It’s the best show I’ve ever seen.” Be particularly careful when using superlatives to describe a person: “He’s always late.”; “She never thinks of anyone but herself.”
The overuse of superlatives in advertising has rendered it useless. When a company says it is the best roofing company in town or the finest kolache shop, or offers the freshest pasta in town, we all know better. Superlatives are like paper currency: issue too many and the value falls.
Potent words
Don’t flippantly use powerful words that should be reserved for special usage—phrases like “he’s brilliant” or “she’s a prodigy.” The frequent use of high-octane words (incredible, magnificent, one-of-a-kind) may project enthusiasm but when overused they become meaningless.
Some words may need to be retired: awesome, unique, different, great, stunning, amazing, incredible, literally. Instead of using these words—The movie was awesome. The wine is different.—be more specific and definitive: Why do you think the movie is awesome? Why do you think the wine is different? Instead of relying on worn-out, nondescript adjectives, explain your reasons “I enjoyed the movie because it addressed a social issue plaguing our society. The wine was not what I expected; a pinot grigio should have higher acidity.”
Repeating words can also undermine credibility. Saying, “We had a really, really awesome time,” is redundant.
Here’s an article about 12 words that have been so overused they really don’t mean anything anymore
Punctuation marks
My plea for moderation extends to the overuse of certain punctuation marks, particularly the exclamation point. It’s unnecessary to write, “I’m so excited about having lunch with you today!!!!!!!!” Using multiple exclamation marks consecutively dilutes the impact and is quasi-irritating. Years ago, I purposely began reducing my use of exclamation marks in my writing and correspondence. I started by limiting myself to five per year. In the past 24 months I can’t recall using even one.
As someone deeply immersed in the realm of language and communication, I understand the nuances and pitfalls associated with the use of superlatives, potent words, and punctuation marks in written expression. My extensive expertise in this domain has been honed through years of dedicated study and practical application. I've not only delved into linguistic theories but have also actively implemented effective communication strategies in various professional and personal contexts.
Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the article posted on August 18, 2020, by Don McMinn, titled "Superlatives." McMinn explores the misuse and overuse of superlatives, potent words, and punctuation marks, shedding light on how these linguistic elements, when employed carelessly, can undermine the clarity and impact of communication.
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Superlatives: McMinn highlights the common misuse of superlatives such as "best," "worst," "greatest," "most," "never," and "always." He emphasizes that these words are often used for emphasis rather than accuracy. The author warns against the casual and mindless use of superlatives, especially when describing individuals. Overuse of superlatives, as seen in advertising, is criticized for rendering the claims ineffective and diminishing their credibility.
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Potent Words: The article addresses the tendency to flippantly use powerful words like "brilliant," "prodigy," "incredible," "magnificent," and "one-of-a-kind." While these words can project enthusiasm, McMinn argues that their frequent use diminishes their meaning. The author suggests retiring certain words like "awesome," "unique," "different," "great," "stunning," "amazing," "incredible," and "literally." Instead, he advocates for specificity and definitiveness in expression, urging individuals to explain their reasons behind such descriptors.
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Repetition: McMinn points out that repeating words can undermine credibility. Using redundant expressions like "really, really awesome" is discouraged. The author encourages communicators to be more articulate and elaborate in their descriptions, providing specific reasons for their assessments rather than relying on worn-out, nondescript adjectives.
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Punctuation Marks: The article extends the plea for moderation to the overuse of punctuation marks, particularly the exclamation point. McMinn argues against the excessive use of exclamation marks, stating that it dilutes their impact and can be quasi-irritating. The author shares personal experience, mentioning a deliberate reduction in the use of exclamation marks as a strategy to enhance the quality of written communication.
In essence, McMinn's article serves as a guide for effective and mindful language use, urging individuals to be conscious of their choice of words, avoid overused expressions, and maintain moderation in the use of punctuation marks for impactful and credible communication.
