Writing Book 4 · Lesson 19
Metaphors and idioms — meet the words
Some meanings live in a group of words, not in any one of them.
The words
a key factor
an important cause
shed light on
help explain
a growing body of
more and more
at the heart of
at the center of
a turning point
when it changed
lay the foundation
prepare the base
Watch how it is built
1a key factor means about the same as an important cause.
Water is a key factor in growth.
2shed light on means about the same as help explain.
The test shed light on the problem.
3a growing body of means about the same as more and more.
A growing body of work supports this.
Two ways to say it
✗ Water is an important cause in growth. — this is not wrong, but it is everyday talk.
✓ Water is a key factor in growth. — this is how a writer says it.
Ask yourself: “Does the meaning survive if I change one word?”
Remember
A picture standing in for an idea.
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