You might notice many things that have the potential to make a good story or completely ruin a scene. But as always, there are peculiarities; according to the best American idiom books, there are several ways idioms and phrases can stand out, declutter the unnecessary words and make the literature more enthralling for the readers. But, there can also be some downside to using idioms in writing.
First, let us know the basic fact about idiom: Idiom – is a phrase or expression that is exceptional to a language or culture used as a metaphor that is not intended to be interpreted by the typical grammar rules. This is a standard definition used by many Top American idiom books. Among the many, one exclusive book that contains the most common American idioms is by famous author Fred Engh. Fred introduced his book America’s Top 30 Idioms And Their Origins to guide students and everyone who wishes to develop fluency and efficiency in speaking and writing the English Language.
Connection of Idioms between Writers & Their Literature
Occasionally, many American Idiom books consider some pros and cons of using idioms. This blog post presents to readers the potential of idioms that can give to one’s reading and writing skills. To state facts, several idioms are hugely popular, and many known writers have always felt the need and significance to use these phrases in their prose flawlessly. Every literature lover must have encountered these phrases many times while reading books. But does it make a difference when a writer incorporates unique and intriguing idioms?
Idioms are often known as clichés. When writing a book, authors always ensure to keep their literature original and that the narrative and voice mirror that creative mind when writing the story. If writers avoid using the idiom in their prose, they’ll possibly connect with more readers than just the ones in their region. This way, they can be a little more artistic where they take easy solutions from existing ideas before.
All Idioms have their unique purpose. When you’re using them purposely in your prose, it is fine, but when you use such phrases because you can, you may encumber a great scene with a cliché.
Pros To Idioms
- Some readers easily acknowledge it.
- Idioms tend to get to the idea quickly, sometimes allowing the writers to use lesser words and sometimes to define something lucidly. “Seeing her gave me butterflies.” Everyone knows what it feels like, and it’s easily relatable.
- Idioms can be used in dialogue; they offer a sense of cultural and character situations. “Well, why don’t you get off your heightened horse and assist me in tugging this carriage?”
- Writing is simpler than looking for other words in a primary line of prose or dialogue.
- Idioms can illustrate a picture. “Jimmy was a fish out of water in his coveralls among the thousands of blue ties and black suits.”
- Phrases have a significant way of providing humor. “Did they break up again? Vanessa and Jimmy’s pair has more holes than Swiss cheese.”
Cons of Using Idioms
- Not many readers will be familiar with phrases and idioms. Not everyone is acquainted with the term “kicked the bucket, ” implying someone died.
- It doesn’t always have enough explanation. “That’s the finest thing since sliced bread.” Okay, great, but how? Why?
- Idioms can be cliché. For those who can comprehend its metaphorical meaning, it lacks originality and ends up uninspiring.
- It can outdate your work. Future generations might not be familiar with the “heard it through the grapevine” meaning. If you think you don’t know, it means you heard stories and rumors.
