Jump to content

Menu

On the word, "conciseness"


Recommended Posts

Earlier this week, I was reading a writing curriculum's web site, and was bothered by some of the writing on the site.

 

Upon reflection, I found that some of the things that rubbed me the wrong way were just matters of personal preference. For example, the word "conciseness" really gets to me, even though I realize it's a legitimate English word. I'm more drawn to "concision," another legitimate English word meaning the same thing. Since I realize it's an unusual choice, in practice I rephrase the sentence so I can use the word "concise" instead.

 

Many of you are much more knowledgeable about words than I am, and I wonder if you have insight into why the "ness" ending on the word "concise" bothers me so much?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think that there may be a bell going off in your head: precise, precision; concise, concision. You are uncomfortable about breaking the pattern.

 

In addition, both 'precise' and 'concise' are of Latin origin, the 'cise' bit deriving from the word for 'to cut'. '-ness' is of Old English origin, so may feel to you as if it doesn't fit. That said, there are lots of words that mix origins: 'television', for example.

 

Laura

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

×
×
  • Create New...