There are some words that I see used a certain way only in novels. Sometimes it is in dialogue, but usually it's in narration, to describe an action. It seems to take very different meaning in writing, than the same word used in conversation. They are words that we have heard, and perhaps even understand the definition of, but in narration they seem to have a completely different (and dumbfounding, to me) meaning. Example: "tentative(ly)". What I see with in conjunction with this word is an action being done by someone, but it is done "tentatively". I've never seen this stated anywhere except in novels. There are others, but I can't think of any at the moment. Can someone tell me what is meant by "tentatively" in that sense, and moreover, does anyone notice the same thing? Does anyone not understand what I mean?
The only place I have ever seen (or heard) the word ersatz is within the framework for narration. And I have seen it written with some frequency.
Tentatively, in that context, means that whoever is preforming that action is doing so with hesitation. That's not particularly odd though - I know I've said tentatively before. But then again, maybe I'm just pretentious ~Christian
i don't... but then i've always possessed and utilized an extensive vocabulary and, for the preponderance of my earthly existence, was surrounded by mortals of the same ilk... seriously, above cheeky example aside, i've never noticed any difference other than for the fact that in some places i've lived lately, most around me wouldn't use any but the simplest of words and if they did use a fancy one, would almost always misuse it, not really knowing what it means... and that may be what you were getting at...
