What do you prefer simple or complex words?

1. 82

   PaoloJpmposted 10 years ago

   I find it interesting when writers has  variety of writing styles. But what is more ideal simple or complex.

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      prettydarkhorseposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      how to types of articles - simple
      
      literary - perhaps more complex because meanings are up to the reader

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      barbat79posted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I prefer words to be used appropriately, that is to say that if a complex word is the one word that accurately provides the need, then it should be used as well as simple words should be used for the proper call of their duty.  Complex words can often say so much more and also create concise writing.  However, if complex words are used for the sake of demonstrating a  knowledge of it, then the word detracts from the sentence and call attention to the ego of the writer.  Simple words can have the same effect of  power in the word, yet sometimes requires more words to be used to convey in writing.

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         PaoloJpmposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         Great answer. Well, I guess it still depends on how we use the words for conveying the meaning.

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2. 61

   paradigmsearchposted 10 years ago

   I use both. I like the contrast.

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3. 96

   jansharesposted 10 years ago

   Depends on your audience, who you're trying to reach. The average reader may be turned off by words that have to look up to understand what you're saying. The erudite reader may be turned off by something written below his level and become bored. It depends.

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      mattforteposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Neither.
      Most of the time I see writers using lots of complex words, they come across as forced and I view the writer as a pretentious waffle.
      
      Writing too simply gets boring.
      
      The end.

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   2. 82

      PaoloJpmposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      correct, I thought of that all the time. Whenever I am doing a piece for lower year (in college) I usually use more simple words then save some complex at time that I know they can think and expound the idea.

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4. 67

   LisaMarie724posted 10 years ago

   When I write on Hubpages I tend to use simple words.

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   1. 82

      PaoloJpmposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Same here. I thought to myself simple words can be more readable by readers.

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         Horatio Plotposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         I've always found that having words that are readable by readers is a good plan that seems to work well...

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5. 78

   WriteAngledposted 10 years ago

   Things written in very simple language always sound forced and artificial, as well as giving the impression of being somewhat patronising and insulting. It is as if the author is saying to his readers, "I consider you all to be morons and so I shall treat you as such."
   
   I use words that come naturally to me. I have no idea where they lie on the simple-complex spectrum.

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   1. 82

      PaoloJpmposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Well,I guess it still depends on your discretion and how would you use the words in your sentence.Thanks for answering by the way

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         WriteAngledposted 10 years agoin reply to this

         What does "discretion" have to do with it? I am not dealing with scandal or secrets, therefore being discreet or not has no relevance whatsoever to the matter in question.

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6. 0

   Beth37posted 10 years ago

   Me like good words.

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7. 64

   Willsummerdreamerposted 10 years ago

   Depends on whats fits the story or whatever.

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      PaoloJpmposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      yes. thanks for answering

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8. 78

   WriteAngledposted 10 years ago

   You do how ever have to take into account that some readers find Basic English unreadable.

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9. 85

   lovebuglenaposted 10 years ago

   When I write I focus on getting my idea across and letting my thoughts flow. I don't dwell on whether my words are simple or complex. Personally, I hate to read stuff where I've got to sit there with the dictionary to understand what they writer is trying to say. There is nothing wrong with using simple words in your writing and if you do use them that doesn't mean that you think that readers are stupid or whatever and that you have to write in simple terms so they get you. And simple words do not make a piece of writing boring. What may be boring to one person will be alive for another. It all depends on who the readers are. I've read stuff that had all this sophisticated jargon and language and it bored the hell out of me... and it sounded dull.

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   1. 82

      PaoloJpmposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, personally, I prefer simple when writing my thing, cause simple words means "clearness" and "conciseness" in your piece. Anyway, I bet still depends on how you do your thing.

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10. 55

    tempestt10posted 10 years ago

    Simple words are the best.

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11. 59

    jg555posted 10 years ago

    I think that it is nice to sound intelligent but using words that people are just going to have to look up is almost arrogant. I think it is best to make writing readable and using both simple and complex ones will do that. But by limiting the number of complex ones and not using extremely long or unpronounceable ones, you can make readers happy.

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       PaoloJpmposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       Agree. Thanks for answering.

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12. 63

    Tusitala Tomposted 10 years ago

    They came the gate full of hope but it was not to be.  The bird had flown and once more they had failed.  Gone was the chance to be the best.  It was the end.  Their ship had sailed, one could say, and they had for the third time missed the boat.  They had lost their chance to move to a new land.
    
    Like that?   All one syllable.   I think that answers your question.

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       PaoloJpmposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       Sure, I think its a poem or something. Anyway, thanks for answering.

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13. 69

    silkwormyposted 10 years ago

    Both.
    Simple, appropriate words are understandable to many readers. Keeping sentences short and the words simple is frugality in writing. A better writer is one who can express the message in short, simple sentences, and this may include appropriate "hard" words. It may be "complex" to a reader upon first encounter of the word but it adds up to his or her learning.
    
    Writers are lovers of words anyway. For me, he or she is the best writer who can play with simple and complex words with style, not to impress but to clearly express the message, always.

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    1. 82

       PaoloJpmposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       Yes, its always been on how you make an effective output. Thanks for answering.

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14. 74

    tolstoytherapyposted 10 years ago

    George Orwell wrote about the importance of using simple words and concise phrasing - I think I agree with that, particularly in terms of political language/writing. However, I do like learning and coming across new words in poetry and fiction. It would be rather dull if words were always well-known and overused.

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    1. 82

       PaoloJpmposted 10 years agoin reply to this

       I bet in political speeches, Most would prefer using simple for the mass to easily understand the content and the whatever goal the politician is planning.

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          tolstoytherapyposted 10 years agoin reply to this

          Yeah, I definitely agree with that - words could be used for all sorts of manipulation otherwise.

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             PaoloJpmposted 10 years agoin reply to this

             :-)

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