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55 [fifty-five]

Working

55 [fifty-five]	Working

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Long words, short words

The length of a word is dependent upon its informative content. This has been shown by an American study. Researchers evaluated words from ten European languages. This was achieved with the help of a computer. The computer analyzed various words with a program. In the process, it used a formula to calculate the informative content. The results were clear. The shorter a word is, the less information it conveys. Interestingly, we use short words more often than long words. The reason for this could lie in the efficiency of speech. When we speak, we concentrate on the most important thing. Therefore, words without much information mustn't be too long. This guarantees we don't spend too much time on unimportant things. The correlation between length and content has another advantage. It ensures that the informative content always remains the same. That is to say, we always say the same amount in a certain period of time. For example, we can use a few long words. But we can also use many short words. It doesn't matter what we decide: The informative content remains the same. As a result, our speech has a consistent rhythm. This makes it easier for listeners to follow us. If the amount of information were always varied, it would be difficult. Our listeners couldn't adapt well to our speech. Comprehension would thus be made difficult. He who wants the best chance of being understood should use short words. Since short words are better comprehended than long ones. Therefore, the principle goes: Keep It Short and Simple! In short: KISS!

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What do you do for a living?	W_a_ d_ y_u d_ f_r a l_v_n_? What do you do for a living? W___ d_ y__ d_ f__ a l______ What do you do for a living? ____ __ ___ __ ___ _ _______ What do you do for a living?
My husband is a doctor.	M_ h_s_a_d i_ a d_c_o_. My husband is a doctor. M_ h______ i_ a d______ My husband is a doctor. __ _______ __ _ _______ My husband is a doctor.
I work as a nurse part-time.	I w_r_ a_ a n_r_e p_r_-_i_e_ I work as a nurse part-time. I w___ a_ a n____ p_________ I work as a nurse part-time. _ ____ __ _ _____ __________ I work as a nurse part-time.

We will soon receive our pension.	W_ w_l_ s_o_ r_c_i_e o_r p_n_i_n_ We will soon receive our pension. W_ w___ s___ r______ o__ p_______ We will soon receive our pension. __ ____ ____ _______ ___ ________ We will soon receive our pension.
But taxes are high.	B_t t_x_s a_e h_g_. But taxes are high. B__ t____ a__ h____ But taxes are high. ___ _____ ___ _____ But taxes are high.
And health insurance is expensive.	A_d h_a_t_ i_s_r_n_e i_ e_p_n_i_e_ And health insurance is expensive. A__ h_____ i________ i_ e_________ And health insurance is expensive. ___ ______ _________ __ __________ And health insurance is expensive.

What would you like to become some day?	W_a_ w_u_d y_u l_k_ t_ b_c_m_ s_m_ d_y_ What would you like to become some day? W___ w____ y__ l___ t_ b_____ s___ d___ What would you like to become some day? ____ _____ ___ ____ __ ______ ____ ____ What would you like to become some day?
I would like to become an engineer.	I w_u_d l_k_ t_ b_c_m_ a_ e_g_n_e_. I would like to become an engineer. I w____ l___ t_ b_____ a_ e________ I would like to become an engineer. _ _____ ____ __ ______ __ _________ I would like to become an engineer.
I want to go to college.	I w_n_ t_ g_ t_ c_l_e_e_ I want to go to college. I w___ t_ g_ t_ c_______ I want to go to college. _ ____ __ __ __ ________ I want to go to college.

I am an intern.	I a_ a_ i_t_r_. I am an intern. I a_ a_ i______ I am an intern. _ __ __ _______ I am an intern.
I do not earn much.	I d_ n_t e_r_ m_c_. I do not earn much. I d_ n__ e___ m____ I do not earn much. _ __ ___ ____ _____ I do not earn much.
I am doing an internship abroad.	I a_ d_i_g a_ i_t_r_s_i_ a_r_a_. I am doing an internship abroad. I a_ d____ a_ i_________ a______ I am doing an internship abroad. _ __ _____ __ __________ _______ I am doing an internship abroad.

That is my boss.	T_a_ i_ m_ b_s_. That is my boss. T___ i_ m_ b____ That is my boss. ____ __ __ _____ That is my boss.
I have nice colleagues.	I h_v_ n_c_ c_l_e_g_e_. I have nice colleagues. I h___ n___ c__________ I have nice colleagues. _ ____ ____ ___________ I have nice colleagues.
We always go to the cafeteria at noon.	W_ a_w_y_ g_ t_ t_e c_f_t_r_a a_ n_o_. We always go to the cafeteria at noon. W_ a_____ g_ t_ t__ c________ a_ n____ We always go to the cafeteria at noon. __ ______ __ __ ___ _________ __ _____ We always go to the cafeteria at noon.

I am looking for a job.	I a_ l_o_i_g f_r a j_b_ I am looking for a job. I a_ l______ f__ a j___ I am looking for a job. _ __ _______ ___ _ ____ I am looking for a job.
I have already been unemployed for a year.	I h_v_ a_r_a_y b_e_ u_e_p_o_e_ f_r a y_a_. I have already been unemployed for a year. I h___ a______ b___ u_________ f__ a y____ I have already been unemployed for a year. _ ____ _______ ____ __________ ___ _ _____ I have already been unemployed for a year.
There are too many unemployed people in this country.	T_e_e a_e t_o m_n_ u_e_p_o_e_ p_o_l_ i_ t_i_ c_u_t_y_ There are too many unemployed people in this country. T____ a__ t__ m___ u_________ p_____ i_ t___ c_______ There are too many unemployed people in this country. _____ ___ ___ ____ __________ ______ __ ____ ________ There are too many unemployed people in this country.

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