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Precise word choice

Replacing all-purpose words with the one that says exactly what is meant. At C, the reader should not have to guess which of several senses you intend.

Replace the all-purpose verbs

Faire, mettre, avoir, dire and il y a fit almost anywhere, which is why they say little. Faire une enquête becomes mener une enquête; mettre en place becomes instaurer or établir; dire becomes préciser, affirmer or signaler, as the meaning requires.

The same goes for chose, problème and aspect: name the thing itself (la contrainte, l’écart, le retard).

Words that are often confused

Some pairs look alike and mean different things: éminent (distinguished) and imminent (about to happen); conjecture (a guess) and conjoncture (the circumstances); prolonger (in time) and allonger (in length).

Collocations matter too: one prend une décision, émet un avis, formule une recommandation and pose une question.

Examples

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Practise written expression