Lars Eighner's Homepage Writers' Workshop FAQ: Q. Problem Verbs?

Q. Problem Verbs?

Verbs ending in -ize

Some verbs ending in "-ize" are the evil twins of perfectly good verbs, but have been tainted by the noun form of the word. Many of these verbs have acquired an "ize" in their lowly haunts -- which generally are the kinds of places frequented by advertising people.

The classic bad example is "moisturize." It acquired the "-ize" to become a verb from the noun "moisture." But the noun "moisture" acquired its "-ure" in the transformation from the verb "moisten." "Moisturize" is the evil twin of the verb "moisten."

It is a sad story, but one often told: a simple verb such as "use" is cloned and twisted into "utilize."

Of course, we cannot do without a number of the verbs that end in "-ize": apologize, memorize, tantalize. However, many "-ize" verbs are technical words which do not mean the same thing as the more mundane verb. ~~For example, "quantitize" does not mean the same thing as "quantify."~~ Many people use "quantitize" as a fancy substitute for "quantify." "Quantify" is the word for measuring or expressing as a quantity things on the ordinary, human scale. "Quantitize" seems to have arisen from confusing "quantify" with "quantize." The respectable verb from physics is "quantize." Few fiction writers will have occasion to use "quantize" in its correct sense. Likewise, "unionize" is not the same as "unify." You may find "acidize" in a large dictionary, but for most occasions, "acidify" is a better choice.

One verb is preferred in the "-ize" form: burglarize. "Burglar" was not form from a verb. Verbs for what a burglar does were formed from the noun. Purists say that "burgle" is formed by the wrong the rule, and if there must be a verb, we should use "burglarize."

"Loan" and "Lend"

Some purists believe that "loan" should be used only as a noun; the verb should be "lend." This belief has no basis in the history of the English language, but people who believe themselves well educated have been taught the purists' position.