Do we talk past each other because we use different language, even when we all use English? The same sound may have four different meanings in Chinese — depending on the tone of voice. In English a “sound” may have different meanings, depending on the context or the spelling. We should use words in ways that are understandable and fair.
done for political reasons: a politically motivated decision
AI Overview
Here are some synonyms for “politically motivated,” depending on the specific nuances conveyed:
- Driven by political agenda/aims/goals
- Politically inspired
- Politically influenced
- Motivated by political considerations
- Partisan
- Ideological
“Politically motivated” is overused for two reasons: The first is that a political motivation is perfectly acceptable in many situations. A district attorney wants to crack down on drunk driving. She then prioritizes trials and strict sentencing in these cases that might help her to win the next election.
On the other hand, if an investigator or prosecutor acts because the subject is affiliated with a different political party and she would not have acted in a similar situation against a member of her own political party, that would be wrong.
The second reason is that the derogatory term, “politically motivated,” is thrown around without any evidence but rather supposition. We should not assume motivation without actual evidence.
A career prosecutor is in the section assigned to investigate government corruption. Almost by definition most of the “suspects” will be affiliated with a political party. But is the investigation and/or prosecution “politically motivated?”
Was US Sen. Bob Menendez prosecuted twice for corruption because he is a Democrat or because he is a crook? Representative Matt Gaetz was investigated by the FBI under both President Biden and President Trump (in his first term). Was his investigation motivated because he is a Republican or because he is a criminal?
- at a fraction of something
- for a much lower price than something else, or in a much smaller size, amount, etc. than something else:
They can produce it at a fraction of the cost of traditional methods.
They sell off last year’s designs at a fraction of the price you’d pay in one of the big retailers.
Many lower altitude ski resorts were operating at a fraction of their capacity.
AI Overview (I am quoting AI on this because it looks at how most use this term)
A “fraction” in everyday language:
- Definition: Refers to a small amount or a tiny part of something.
- Examples: “She hesitated for a fraction of a second” (meaning a very short time). “The company’s computers only represent a fraction of the market” (meaning a small part of the market). “I got these shoes at a fraction of the original price” (meaning much cheaper).
But what is a fraction? 99/100 is a fraction. 3/4 is a fraction. 1/9 is a fraction. Even 5/4 is a fraction. Why should marketers use “a fraction of” to exaggerate the saving. This usage is common among so many that I wonder how they passed 4th grade arithmetic. I recommend never using the term unless you quantify the fraction or use something like “a very small fraction of,” “about half,” or “a large fraction of.”
- to select by lot and kill every tenth man of: decimate a regiment
- to exact a tax of 10 percent from: poor as a decimated Cavalier —John Dryden
- a. to reduce drastically especially in number: cholera decimated the population;
Kamieniecki’s return comes at a crucial time for a pitching staff that has been
decimated by injuries. —Jason Diamos
b. to cause great destruction or harm to: firebombs decimated the city;
an industry decimated by recession
There is quite a bit of difference between 1/10 and 9/10. “Decimate” should not be used at all unless clarified by an actual fraction or an understandable qualification such as “a great majority of” or “a significant minority” or similar terms.
DEAR READERS
Send your nomination of words that confuse policy to [email protected]. This is the fifth installment in a series. Parts I, II, III and IV explore corruption, liberal/conservative/ progressive, legalize/decriminalize, nonprofit, bipartisan, democracy/republic, forgive, mandate, fascism, Marxist, traitor, treason, faming, gambling and amnesty. See www.paulstam.info.