Stop messing with the language

[andysocial]

People (particularly business weasels) seem to have an innate desire to re-work the language, changing the acceptable meaning of words etc. One that really bugs me is using "grow" as an active verb, i.e., "We are trying to grow the market." What is wrong with the other words that actually fit there and don't require mangling Webster? Examples:

• We are trying to expand the market.
• We are trying to build the market.
• This is an attempt at market growth.

Notice how all those sentences sound more natural? Anyone who thinks using grow as an active verb sounds good (unless you're growing a plant) - you're a putz.

This has been a public service announcement from the Opinionated Asshole. Thank you for your attention.

Comments

[kittles.livejournal.com]

I blame Calvin & Hobbes.

[andysocial]

But, they aren't verbing the language, merely misusing a verb to mean something it shouldn't.

I wonder if this is just because businesspeople generally don't have very large vocabularies, so they grab a word and use it even when a better one exists.

[kittles.livejournal.com]

I think it's because they think it's being "innovative" or something.

[ursulasgirl.livejournal.com]

Well...you can use grow as an active verb if you do the action: I grow tomatoes.
But in the phrase "we are trying to grow," I think, the use of the gerund or is it the infinitive (?) weakens the sentence!

[andysocial]

If you can't tell me why it's wrong, why do you have an English degree? ;-)

Well....

[ursulasgirl.livejournal.com]

considering the degree is in English literature and NOT rhetoric and composition.....

Re: Well....

[andysocial]

You didn't have to pick apart the language? Not even a little bit?