Let’s talk about the importance of word choice, particularly when writers and engineers reach for words and phrases that sound authoritative, official, or academically impressive. One such word is “nominal,” which often appears in technical documents because it sounds precise… even when it isn’t.

It can be an effective word, but only in the right context. And choosing the wrong word can derail a sentence faster than you can say “engineering audit.”

Finding the Right Words: The Two Meanings That Cause Confusion

In engineering, “nominal” has a specific meaning. For example:

a nominal voltage of 230 V

Here, it means approximately 230 V – perhaps a bit lower, perhaps a bit higher, but close enough for the system to function. This is a good example of precise terminology used correctly, and a reminder of how essential good word choice in writing is for technical accuracy.

But the english language loves to cause mischief, and this same adjective also has a second meaning:

Jack is the nominal head of the company.

In other words, Jack’s name appears on the letterhead, but everyone in the building knows that Lisa is the one actually making the decisions.

This subtle shift in meaning is exactly why word choice matters so much. Using the wrong word doesn’t just change the tone of a sentence, it can quietly undermine the accuracy of an entire technical document. And yes, this is a really good way to screw up your engineering documents.

Imagine this sentence in a report:

The building should have a nominal height of 20 stories.

In other words, “we’ll tell the press that it’s 20 stories high, even if it isn’t”.

This is where things go wrong. That word works with continuous measurements, but it does not work with discrete numbers. If you can count something using whole numbers, it should not be described this way. Otherwise, what you are really saying is, “well, we’ll tell the press that…”, which is not a solid foundation for engineering documentation.

Elements of Word Choice: When Technical Terms Misfire

Writers working in technical, educational, or online writing contexts often fall into the trap of using a sophisticated-sounding adjective where a simple one would work better.

This particular term works well for continuous measurements but falls apart when applied to discrete numbers. You can’t “approximately” have 20 stories in the same way you can have a voltage that fluctuates.

Even when discussing continuous data, relying on a vague approximation isn’t always helpful. Consider:

It should be positioned roughly 5 m from the road.

If the requirement is “roughly 5 m,” the reader is left wondering:
Is 6 m acceptable? What about 5.05 m? Where does the tolerance lie?

Good technical writing demands specificity. Without it, you risk wordiness, jargon, and inaccurate descriptive language. Misused adjectives, unnecessary synonyms from a thesaurus, or vague measurements can all weaken the clarity of your sentence.

Choose the Right Word: Practical Guidelines

To hone your writing – whether you’re producing academic content, engineering documents, or instructional materials – here’s how to choose words that strengthen rather than obscure your meaning:

Use the term only when it is standard in the discipline.
Some engineering measurements genuinely require this wording, and using it correctly helps maintain technical accuracy.

Avoid using it with discrete variables.
Stories, people, apples – anything countable – doesn’t benefit from ambiguity, and the meaning becomes unclear.

For measurements, provide both the figure and its tolerance.
This eliminates ambiguity, avoids passive voice confusion, and keeps your writing concise and precise.

Think of it as an opportunity to refine your technical communication skills. The right word isn’t the one that sounds impressive – it’s the one that conveys your meaning with zero confusion.

Expand Your Vocabulary (But Use It Wisely)

If you want to choose words that genuinely strengthen your message, focus on clarity, tone, and connotation. A dictionary or thesaurus can help you explore synonyms, but specificity should always be the deciding factor. Avoid clichés, avoid overuse, and aim for writing that guides rather than distracts.

The right word shouldn’t hide your meaning.
It should illuminate it.

And if your technical or academic writing is doing a lot of heavy lifting, a second pair of eyes can make all the difference. A single misplaced term can quietly change the meaning of a sentence, or an entire document.

If you’d like help refining your word choice, tightening your language, or making sure your writing says exactly what you think it says, DZ Editing can help. I work with engineers, educators, and publishers to turn complex material into clear, accurate, and readable text, without sanding off its technical edge.

Because the right word shouldn’t just sound right.
It should be right.