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My use of the word "augment"

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Thedynamix  #494413  Sat, 29 Mar 08 11:35 PM
Hi guys,

 

Trying to get to grips with thr word "augment" and most definitions tell me that it is a word meaning to "make bigger", whereas i always thought it meant "to enhance", which doesn't necessarily mean to make bigger, right? Anyway, please can you guys have a quick read through the following sentence and let me know if it works well? Feel free to make any changes your, more knowledgable brains see fit.. 'd be most grateful, as I always am when I post here.

 

"

This project aims to augment the efficiency of the conference website building process, by introducing a web-based content management system, essentially eliminating the need for a web developer.

"

 

Thanks again! 

  
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Clive  #494416  Sun, 30 Mar 08 12:00 AM

Hi,

Trying to get to grips with thr word "augment" and most definitions tell me that it is a word meaning to "make bigger", whereas i always thought it meant "to enhance", which doesn't necessarily mean to make bigger, right? It might help if you think of it as 'make something bigger or better'. This would bring in the meaning of 'enhance', which is certainly valid.

Anyway, please can you guys have a quick read through the following sentence and let me know if it works well? Feel free to make any changes your, more knowledgable brains see fit.. 'd be most grateful, as I always am when I post here.

"This project aims to augment the efficiency of the conference website building process, by introducing a web-based content management system, essentially eliminating the need for a web developer."

I wouldn't entirely say it's wrong to 'augment efficiency', but it doesn't sound good. I have trouble grasping what it means to make efficiency bigger or better? I'd prefer 'improve efficiency'.

You are trying to augment your vocabulary. I hope that my comments have augmented your understanding. Smile

Best wishes, Clive

  
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Thedynamix  #494419  Sun, 30 Mar 08 12:12 AM
Thanks a million Clive. I understand where I was going wrong with it now :).

 

Thanks again! 

  
Marius Hancu  #494421  Sun, 30 Mar 08 12:33 AM
Use this dictionary in terms of synonym comparison, if you can, it has stuff such as this:

--

Increase 

 synonyms ENLARGE, AUGMENT, MULTIPLY:

INCREASE intransitively may carry the idea of progressive growth in numbers, size, amount, quantity or intensity <our population is increasing> <prices increased on all necessities -- Collier's Year Book> <the rice yield to the acre increased with improved methods -- American Guide Series: Texas>; transitively this notion is not so prominent <the trustees increased salaries>

 AUGMENT intransitively may suggest further growth, development, or increase of something already grown or developed <the literature of cryptography, both in the form of secret government manuals and openly published books, had augmented enormously since 1880 -- Fletcher Pratt>; transitively it may suggest addition to sufficiency or ampleness <the city police, augmented by special deputies, were also called out -- American Guide Series: Tennessee> <by their weight, which was augmented by laying a number of old rails on the top, these slabs have the effect of preventing any tendency for the clay to work up --

 http://unabridged.merriam-webster.com

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