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# Nouns as Verbs and Other Language Pet Peeves
- URL: https://www.philsimon.com/nouns-as-verbs-and-other-language-pet-peeves/
- Published: 2013-06-26T12:23:12.000Z
- Updated: 2025-07-21T02:16:35.000Z
- Description: Why you shouldn't switch the two.
- Author: Phil Simon
- Tags: Communication, Language, Message Not Received, Writing

Language is about choices. Many folks choose not to use buzzwords. I choose to write and speak in relatively straightforward manners.

I just don't read the work writers who routinely use five- and six-line sentences. Short sentences are godsends, especially after longer ones. They give people time to digest your profundity.

You'll never see or hear me use *partner* or *transition as* verbs. Same with [the inverse](https://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/03/30/those-irritating-verbs-as-nouns/?%5Fr=0&ref=philsimon.com).

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And I absolutely loathe made-up nouns like the *value-add*, *take*\-*away*, *deliverable*, and *learning*. I'm not for censorship, but these are nothing short of atrocities.

Each one feels like stepping on a rake.

## Simon Says

Yes, language evolves. *To tweet* is entirely legitimate. Sounding smarter isn't rocket science. Start with writing and speaking simply.