Writing question

Hi Minsui,

"Awkward" is simply used for lack of better words.  The reason it is considered "awkward and unconventional" is most likely due to how it doesn't really fit in the sentence.  The sentence sounds a bit more formal, and "weighty" sounds more informal, so their styles don't exactly match.  Weighty is also a bit strange to pronounce, and is very uncommon.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Elijah

Hi Minsui,

That's a great question. When writing, we try to use vocabulary that makes sense and "fits" in a sentence or piece. Often times when a word is deemed awkward or unconventional, it means that the word isn't being used in a way that clearly communicates specific meaning. This can mean that the word isn't being used correctly as certain words have very specific usages (depends on context, this requires some research and intuition) or simply doesn't make sense to the reader. It is important to remember that the main goal when writing is to be as clear and precise as you can; you want to effectively and efficiently articulate information.

Another thing that is important to recognize is that English can be subjective, meaning that opinions on certain uses of language, literary devices, styles, etc. can be matters of debate. So, there isn't exactly a clear-cut answer, but you can certainly strengthen your skills and comprehension through practice. By practicing, you will develop your own judgment and will be able to better determine what you believe what words are best to use when writing.

I have a few suggestions that should you better understand how to use words accurately and effectively:

1. Read. The best way to practice any language is to read, read, read. As they say in preparation for the SAT and ACT examinations, diversify your selections and read different styles of writing. Reading constantly will give you intuition on how words work in certain contexts, how certain styles of writing are developed and maintained, how to structure arguments and communicate information, and many more important life skills.
2. Study word definitions. While you do study the use of words when reading, it can certainly help to directly study words themselves and practice using new words in different contexts. By actually using words in sentences and paragraphs, you are able to understand their proper uses in English with much more depth.

Regarding the examples, as a reader, I'm not sure what "weighty" would mean in the context of your sentence. It doesn't sound like the best word that can be used to convey the idea of the sentence. This can be because "weighty" has a few other meanings and therefore is not always used one way, which can make it confusing in a sentence. Since we are talking about health benefits, which are often quite important but not necessarily serious, I think a better word to use would be "significant."

Since we are talking about health benefits and not something that is important and serious like a threat to national security, it wouldn't make sense to use "weighty" because it is not defined only as important.

I've learned over time to be careful about what words I use to convey my thoughts and information because of how subjective the comprehension of words can be in English. Especially when dealing with words with many meanings that can be used in several situations and contexts, it is important to ensure that your word choices help you clearly convey your information. If the word doesn't seem to work (always look up the definition and investigate how it is used) then select another word.

Hopefully, this provided some guidance. Feel free to let me know if you have any more questions!