Changing the order of words in a sentence can bring about a whole different meaning.

ENGLISH is a wonderful language. Try altering the sequence of two words in a sentence – words, for example, which may have the same spelling but different meaning or where one is used as a verb and the other as a noun and then reversed. The result, I assure you, is very interesting.

Here’s what I mean. Take the following expression: When the going gets tough, the tough get going.

The first “going” refers to the journey which if it is tough (difficult), can only be survived and endured (they “get going”) by those who are themselves “tough” in nature (strong or hardy). When the “tough get going”, this means they will not be daunted but will rise to the challenge instead.

Here’s another sentence: If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail.

In this case, the words “fail” and “plan” are both used as verbs but the meaning of the phrase is altered simply by exchanging the placement of the words. “Failing to plan” indicates one who did not do any planning at all. Without any detailed planning or thorough preparation, such a person is bound to fail. In other words, it is as if he planned (or had decided) to fail, right from the very start.

I could very well say that “the right start is when you start right”. By doing the right thing at the beginning, you will ensure yourself success.

In management books, it is also often written that:

Being efficient is doing the thing right,

While being effective is doing the right thing.

Yes, an efficient person makes good and careful use of resources – such as manpower, money, methods, machines and materials – and therefore, ensures that whatever project or programme is planned will be carried out correctly with minimum waste.

Meanwhile, the effective person focuses on the end result, which is the “effect” he wishes to produce. A salesman, for instance, will want to increase sales revenue and he is “effective” when he does this – that is, he has done the right thing!

A teacher friend of mine, who considers himself both efficient and effective, also likes the following expression: A teacher answers his student’s questions, but an intelligent student will question his teacher’s answers.

This means that while teachers generally help to answer the questions posed by students, the student who is capable of intelligent thinking will question the teacher if he feels the answer given is not exact or appropriate, or unsuitable. He may even question the answer if he has further queries on the matter or has read something contrary to what the teacher’s given answer is.

My favourite expression, with its play on words and the subsequent depth of thought required, is this: Do you see the seed in the apple, or the apple in the seed?

Yes, we all know that apples contain seeds, don’t they? We throw these seeds away without a single thought for their significance. But, if you think about it – isn’t it true that the seed contains the embryo of the apple tree and if you germinate the seed, it will develop into an apple seedling, grow into an apple tree which will, one day, bear apples?

Therefore, it is true that there are apples in every seed! Amazing, isn’t it?

It’s like the man who said to me, when he handed me a book on philosophy: There is a place for every word, and a word for every place.

Even this expression reminds you not to take what you say or write lightly, but to think carefully about what word to use and when.

I must also remind you that, if you wish to take to the road, then you must decide what road to take.

In other words, don’t leave home without knowing where it is that you wish to go to exactly. Or, if you are a student and you wish to study abroad or away from home, don’t just dream of leaving home but do think carefully of what course you would like to take, where it is offered and what it entails to study it.

What about this expression – Some people eat to live, some live to eat?

It makes you laugh, doesn’t it? I have met people who do love their food and live to savour every meal for all that it is worth while others practise discipline and eat only what they really require to be healthy and fit.

Meanwhile, here’s yet another common expression: Don’t trouble trouble, until trouble troubles you.

Basically, it means that you should stay out of trouble as much as you can!

Here’s an interesting expression I saw on a bookmark. In times of difficulty, don’t ever say, “GOD, I have a BIG problem.” Say instead, “Hey, problem, I have a BIG GOD!” and everything will be all right.

I came across another interesting example in Aravind Adiga’s novel, The Last Man In The Tower. In it, he talks about a sign that originally read: “Work in Progress; Inconvenience is regretted.” But, the sign had been changed to read: “Incovenience in Progress; Work is Regretted.” I had a good laugh.

Finally, an ode to Emily Dickinson, who wrote in one of her poems:

“Much madness is divinest sense – to the discerning eye.

Much sense – the starkest madness – tis the majority.”

The play on the words “madness” and “sense” – that’s what a reverse take is all about. English is to be enjoyed!

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