Article: Choosing the Right Word v.2

Choosing the Right Word v.2

Which is the right word in this sentence?

"The giant oak tree that had fallen across the road [hindered, hampered, impeded, retarded, encumbered, obstructed, blocked, dammed, barred, balked] our progress."

The choice among these words depends on the information you seek to convey and whether the words have been used to convey a different meaning in the same document. For example, if you’ve written about a piece of wood or other hard substance used in construction, or a stand from which articles are displayed at auction, “blocked” would not be the best word in this sentence.

If you mean that the tree made progress slower because other travelers stopped to gawk, “hindered,” “hampered,” or “retarded” are probably the right words.

If you mean that the fallen tree made progress slower because only one lane remained open or because drivers had to drive off the road to pass, “impeded” or “obstructed”are probably the right words.

If you mean that the fallen tree had made passing completely impossible, “blocked” or“barred” are probably the right words.

The word “dammed”could conceivably be used as a metaphor in a figurative manner.

In this context, “encumbered” and “balked” would not be appropriate.

So how does a writer remember all these fine distinctions? This is a trick question because a writer doesn’t have to rely on memory to assess distinctions: the answers are literally spelled out in a good desk dictionary. The entry for “hinder” in the American Heritage Dictionary lists these synonyms and explains the distinctions:

“These verbs mean to slow or prevent progress, movement, or other desired action. Hinderand hamper are applied to any restraining influence, physical or otherwise, intentional or accidental. Impedeusually implies slowing by making movement difficult. To retardis to delay or hold back, and to encumberis to weigh down or burden, physically or figuratively. Obstructimplies interference that brings progress to a virtual halt or prevents a desired action. Block refers to preventing progress, passage or other action, and dam to restraining the progress or release of something, such as water or emotion, by interposing a barrier. To bar is to prevent entry or exit or to rule out a course of action, and to balkis to frustrate a course by putting obstacles in one’s path.”

The entries for the synonyms include a reference to the explanatory note within the entry for “hinder.” My purpose for this blog entry is to provide further evidence that a dictionary is a writer’s best friend! I hope you agree!