Irina
In which situation I can use the word pontification at the business meeting? Would it sound normal? (General Contractor speaks to Contractor) Don't teach me how to pour the concrete, I don't need your pontification! If pontification is not good here, which word can I use to show irritation? Thank you
3 Nis 2021 19:46
Yanıtlar · 6
1
To answer your question, you would not use it in a business meeting unless perhaps as a journalist. Its connotations are negative and nearly everyone would look at you strange if you used it because the impression they would have is that you’re trying to impress them by using a word that’s not right for the setting. In an earlier comment someone mentioned that the verb is used more often than the noun, and this is right. The noun is rarely used at all, however even though the verb is the preferred form, it too is rarely used in business contexts, let alone everyday English. It is true that in a meeting with lawyers or, say, a staff meeting in maybe a university setting in literature or philosophy, the verb might occur, but even there it would happen once in a blue moon. The most common setting in spoken English you might see it used in would typically be on stage or between professional speakers, and nearly always with derision toward others. The more standard synonymous phrase might be something like asking someone why they’re speaking in such an arrogant way or as if they know everything. Where you might expect to see it used in English would mostly be in written form, such as in a newspaper. By the early 1800s, "pontificate" was also being used derisively for individuals who spoke as if they had the authority of an ecclesiastic. Most of its variations are still used in a religious setting. As you can see here, the usage is rare today: https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=pontificate&year_start=1800&year_end=2019&corpus=26&smoothing=3&direct_url=t1%3B%2Cpontificate%3B%2Cc0
4 Nisan 2021
The person using the word "pontification" is suggesting that the other person is being arrogant. It's funny, because using the word sounds arrogant! Many university students wouldn't even know the word, and most of us would never use it, so it's very unrealistic to imagine a skilled laborer using it in a situation like the one you described! As Chris suggested, keep it simple: "Don't tell me how to pour concrete! I don't need you to teach me how to do my job."
4 Nisan 2021
I don't need you to tell me how to do my job!
3 Nisan 2021
Pontification (more usually used as the verb to pontify) for me is one of those words you use when you are talking about someone else. How was the meeting? A waste of time as usual. John was pontifying about how we don't work hard enough. Actually it tends to run through my thoughts rather than actually using it. In your example I think I would just say 'OK, I know'. You don't need to start an argument!
3 Nisan 2021
Thank you!
3 Nisan 2021
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