Read on Twitter
Everyone loves to hate verbs made with '-ize,' probably because, morphologically, almost any noun or adj in English can be turned into a verb this way. 'Finalize' was among the most controversial entries in our 1961 Unabridged, but it probably doesn't bother many today. #AskMW https://twitter.com/smileytlc/status/1304129489861967873
And poor 'utilize' is attacked all the time, but it can create a useful distinction, if used judiciously.
#AskMW https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/is-utilize-a-word-worth-using
#AskMW https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/is-utilize-a-word-worth-using
If you don't like 'incentivize,' cover your eyes now, because there's also the verb 'incent.'
Basically, business jargon nearly always annoys somebody.
#AskMW https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/alternatives-to-confusing-business-jargon/incent
Basically, business jargon nearly always annoys somebody.
#AskMW https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/alternatives-to-confusing-business-jargon/incent
Keep in mind:
English changes just fast enough that we notice.
And we nearly always hate the changes that we notice.
#AskMW
English changes just fast enough that we notice.
And we nearly always hate the changes that we notice.
#AskMW
#AskMW Finally, English is as English does. Languages certainly do follow rules, but they don't follow orders.
Even though you might emphasize
That words shouldn’t end with an –ize
your strict discontent
will fail to prevent
such jargon as 'incentivize' https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/usage-limericks/incentivize
Even though you might emphasize
That words shouldn’t end with an –ize
your strict discontent
will fail to prevent
such jargon as 'incentivize' https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/usage-limericks/incentivize
