• HOME
  • ABOUT
  • WORKSHOPS
  • WRITING
  • WELTCHEK WEEKLY
  • CONTACT
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • WORKSHOPS
  • WRITING
  • WELTCHEK WEEKLY
  • CONTACT

The Weltchek Weekly

Your Bulletin for Better Business Writing

 
Categories
  • Prepare
  • Organize
  • Write
  • Edit
  • Review
  • Say It Better. Say It Right
Sign up for the Weltchek Weekly
Your Bulletin for Better Business Writing

Reluctant, Reticent

  • Category: Uncategorized, Write
  • |
  • On February 25, 2015

A few weeks ago, when a hedge fund took a hit after some poor forecasts about the Greek political scene, the fund’s founders sent this message to their investors: “We are reticent to render decisive predictions at this time.”

They meant reluctant, which means unwilling or disinclined to do something.

A client said he was reticent to take a specific course of action. He, too, meant reluctant.

If you are reticent, you are reserved. You keep your thoughts—and your feelings—to yourself. Reticent should not be followed by the preposition to. When you see it that way—which you will—know that it’s not correct.

You might say that certain people are reticent in meetings because they’re worried they won’t sound smart enough. In other words, they are reluctant to speak up.

Learn about my customized writing workshops for communications and marketing teams.
Share:

Previous Post

“New Places" and “Next Levels” Are Ambiguous

Next Post

Affect, Effect—and Impact
Scroll

Weltchek Weekly

Want help sprucing up your copy?
Sign up here to get practical tips for improving everything you write.

 

© WeltchekWrites

Contact me here

Cleantalk Pixel