27 Feb 2009
What’s the difference between a concrete noun and an abstract noun? What’s that I hear you cry? Who cares? Stay with me. I’m attempting to perform a public service.
A concrete noun is a noun that can be seen, smelt, tasted, touched, heard. So,
I wore a nice watch to the party. Watch is a concrete noun.
Trickier to recognise, an abstract noun is an idea or feeling such as love, happiness, confidence, grief, boredom, frustration. So,
The crowd was amazed at his bravery in front of goal. Bravery is an abstract noun.
Now, aren’t you glad you know that?
Paul Nicholson
Posted at 16:41h, 15 JulyI completely agree, working in the IT industry I notice this more and more. Then the other day I noticed it this below.
http://www.dovetaildental.co.uk/about-dovetail/
Sarah Turner
Posted at 10:58h, 16 JulyHey Paul
Euuugh Bespoke Dental Solutions. Hmmm…that would be a dentist right?
Sarah
Clare Lynch
Posted at 15:36h, 17 JulyToday I saw some expensive-looking face cream labelled “dulness solutions” . . .
Sarah Turner
Posted at 15:43h, 17 JulyOh my God. I think that be the winner. We should have some award for this.
Andy Maslen had some crackers on Twitter this week. “Seen on my travels: lorry slogan, “Delivering enclosure solutions”. Product inside? Cupboards. More solutions. In Tesco: Meal solutions = meals. In Bhs: Bra solutions = bras (yes, really!). On truck: Drinking water solutions = water.”
It’s a pandemic! Stop the madness.
Ate too much at Christmas? You’ll be needing a ’shapewear solution’ « Turner Ink Copywriting Blog
Posted at 11:41h, 08 January[…] how much do I hate the word solutions? Come on M&S you can do better than […]
Leif Kendall
Posted at 15:41h, 13 DecemberThanks for this – just borrowing your article as ammunition to persuade a client to ditch the word ‘solutions’. It does nothing but complicate their copy!
Sarah Turner
Posted at 11:19h, 15 JulyCool! I physically cringe when I read it.
Alastaire ALlday
Posted at 11:09h, 15 JulyLike Leif, I’ve been trying to write a “don’t use the word solution” post on my blog for weeks so I’ve got a go-to page to show my clients when they try to insist on it.
You’ve hit the nail on the head.
Bad buzzword: it’s time to stop using the word “solution” | Freelance Copywriter, London, UK
Posted at 11:56h, 15 July[…] Ink Copywriting points out a paragraph from Wikipedia’s acceptable use of English guide – The word solution should be confined […]
If you’re not part of the solution… | Freelance Copywriter, London, UK
Posted at 13:23h, 10 May[…] next. Regular readers will know that one of my major bugbears is the word “solution” when used to describe a product or a service. Usually, I fight the word wherever I see […]