Chapter 7: The Noun Plague — Reading Notes

2301晨花鹿

Summary: This chapter critiques the overuse of abstract nouns in modern English writing, a habit that drains clarity and vitality from communication. In contrast, good writing relies on strong verbs and concrete expressions to deliver messages that are clear, concise, and engaging.

Concept: “Noun plague” refers to a writing style dominated by abstract nouns, often linked with prepositions and written in passive voice. This form of expression is especially common in academic, bureaucratic, and corporate contexts, where vague or inflated language can obscure meaning and create an illusion of complexity or authority.

Problem: The problem with excessive use of abstract nouns lies in its tendency to make sentences dull, long-winded, and difficult to understand. Chains of nominal phrases produce generalities that lack emotional force and precision, ultimately weakening communication. For example, a sentence like “The prolongation of the existence of this temple is due to the solidity of its construction” is not only awkward but also harder to digest than its plain English version: “This temple has endured because it was solidly built.” The latter is more vivid, more direct, and easier for readers to connect with.

Solution: To address this issue, we are encouraged to revise noun-heavy constructions by reintroducing the energy of verbs, gerunds, adjectives, or adverbs. Many abstract nouns have corresponding verbs, and replacing them can instantly clarify a sentence—for instance, changing “achievements in our work” to “we can achieve.” Similarly, turning nouns into “-ing” forms, such as “began issuing” instead of “began its issuance,” restores immediacy to the action. In other cases, converting abstract nouns into adjectives—like replacing “rich in elasticity” with “elastic”—produces more natural and succinct expressions.

Notes: There are exceptions to this principle. Not all noun modifiers are problematic; single nouns like “army officer” or “income tax” function well as descriptors, and even two-word noun modifiers can work if kept simple and readable. However, when noun strings become excessively long or compressed, such as “Korea’s first National Urban Construction Archive Sector Achievements Expo,” they obscure meaning and force readers to untangle relationships between words. In such cases, clarity must take priority over compression, and rephrasing is necessary to restore intelligibility.

Reflection:
I was surprised to realize just how frequently abstract nouns show up in the writing of academic institutions, government bodies, and large corporations. It really made me curious—why is it that the more formal the context, the more likely people are to choose vague and complicated language? Maybe it’s because this kind of language feels safer or sounds more authoritative.

In the past, I used to admire elegant, sophisticated words and thought that writing filled with such vocabulary was more beautiful or literary. But over time, I’ve realized that when language becomes too complicated, the core message often gets lost, and the audience ends up feeling confused or disconnected. My own reading experience has proven this again and again. Now, I see that simple, direct language can actually be much more powerful—it reaches people more effectively.

This shift toward clarity is becoming increasingly visible in public life. One example that really caught my attention is Donald Trump. While I don’t necessarily agree with his political views, I do find it fascinating how his plain and confident way of speaking resonated with so many Americans. His use of straightforward, low-complexity language helped turn complicated issues into something people could easily understand, and that clearly played a role in his appeal.

Moving forward, I’ll be more mindful in my own writing—choosing strong verbs, reducing unnecessary abstract nouns, and aiming for clarity in every sentence. I don’t just want my writing to be grammatically correct; I want it to communicate, to connect, and to make an impact. This chapter has really changed the way I think about what good English writing should be.