Let's Discuss: Graduated and Elementary Terms

Verse of the Day:

Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:18

"Why do you have to use big words?", "I have to read a dictionary when I talk to you...." just a couple of statements and questions I've received while in what I would assume to be normal conversations. I'd always react the same...puzzled. It would be years before I came to the conclusion that there really was no such thing as "big" or "small" words. In order to gain a better sense of understanding and have a defense against passive aggressive statements, I would come up with elementary and graduated terms. These are NOT official terms or definitions! They are personal defense mechanics to help me or anyone else faced with vocabulary barriers in social gatherings.

Elementary Terms (Noun): words that are most commonly used and heard in every day society, no matter a persons heritage, education or class. EVERYONE uses elementary terms.

Graduated Terms (Noun): words that are less commonly used and heard in every day society, however they are synonymous with elementary terms and are used in the place of them to emit an intensified or deescalated feeling from the listener

Now that we have that out of the way, let's look at some examples:

Word Sentence

Sad Eleanor tells me she is feeling very sad today.

Sullen Eleanor appeared in the doorway with a very sullen expression.

Melancholy Eleanor's expression was filled with such melancholy.

Happy McKenzie seems so happy today! She's practically glowing.

Delighted McKenzie was absolutely delighted to see her best friend.

Jovial McKenzie's jovial attitude was infectious.

Mad Jasmine was mad about the delivery fees she had to pay.

Angry Jasmine appeared to be quite angry about her current situation.

Infuriated Jasmine was absolutely infuriated about the state of things.

Jealous Rose was very jealous of her baby brother on his birthday.

Covet Rose would grow to covet her brothers charm.

Envious Rose was engulfed with envy towards her younger brother.

Now, read each sentence aloud, the first word in each trio is an elementary term,

the other two that follow are graduated terms. Ask yourself: How does each sentence make you feel? does the term used, intensify or deescalate the feeling provoked while reading?

Graduated terms, "big words" are in truth synonymous of elementary terms but varying in intensity. The only real difference is the stages in which we are introduced to certain vocabulary words. The feeling associated with each word is intensified based on the verbiage.

On most occasions, you will hear graduated terms being used by people who are avid readers or constantly in the presence of someone who may overuse these words for the sake of "sounding" smarter. Please note that using graduated terms out of context isn't a good look. the dictionary exists for a reason, and no one should be ashamed to use them. Having a broader vocabulary has proven useful in many situations, there are times where we feel very strongly about things and want to express those things aloud or in writing. The use of graduated terms is HELPFUL not REQUIRED, the use of Elementary terms are REQUIRED to communicate efficiently and should not be held in lower esteem than Graduated terms.