The grammar posts I write here seem to be the most popular among them all, and people seem to like the casual, use-based (instead of rules-based) approach I use for things like ellipses and parentheses. However, grammatical notations aren’t the only part of our language with open-to-interpretation subtleties. Individual words in fact, despite sometimes rigid definitions, have the same type of depth and value. Oftentimes, there’s more to a given word than meets the eye, and also more refined uses you can reserve for such a word.
With this in mind, I’m going to start writing posts about the specific usages of specific words. I originally wanted to call it “word of the day,” but it’s unrealistic that I’ll doing this on a regular basis. So instead, I’m going call it “word of the post.” One word each time. And today’s word is…
Amenable is a funny word. Most regard it as a synonym for agreeable. Yeah, I’m up for that. I’m down with that. Sounds good to me. However, the definition tells a slightly different story:
What’s interesting to me is that rather then just meaning agreeable, amenable takes on a real submissive tone. Ready to yield. Ready to be tested, or tried. Open to Influence. Servant-like. It seems to me that the word almost has venom in it, and a certain sharpness that’s unique. As dull as agreeable sounds, amenable is cutting.
Now, I’m not advocating you going off to use amenable to make people your servant. That would just make you a dick. Instead, reserve the word for the situations where it’s warranted, and where 
you want its sharp effect. Remember, a screenplay character who is agreeable to going to get ice cream is way different then one that’s amenable to getting shifted out of their office for a lazier worker.
YOUR INPUT: Does anyone have a different take on the word than me, or does anyone have anything to add? Is anyone going to take up the challenge to write AMENABLE into a sentence this week?
{ 0 comments… add one now }