making an "informed" choice

[hypatia_]

If someone says, "You should study the latest research in this field so you can make a more informed choice," ......


Wouldn't it be a more formed choice? The choice is a decision, and the more you research, the more "formed" it will be. If you're making an informed choice, you're saying it could be more formed.

Example:

Incorrect vs correct.

I think the word has evolved incorrectly.

[OrphanPip]

Informed means having information about a subject, not something being formed.

[hypatia_]

What if I said "I informed Peter about U.S. tax law," ....

it would mean specifically relaying information, not "having" or "possessing it."

The root of "inform" is "form."

"In" is a negative prefix.

My argument is that when you relay information, you inform someone yes. But when use of the word "inform" is on a spectrum, for example saying "so you can make a MORE informed choice," as in, improving the strength of what you are informing, you are actually forming the idea for the other person. "In" would imply you were not forming or relaying it to the person.

[mona amon]

What OrphanPip said.

The word 'informed' here is an adjective, and has nothing to do with the word 'form'.

in·formed (ĭn-fôrmd′)
adj.
1. Possessing, displaying, or based on reliable information: informed sources; an informed opinion.

2. Knowledgeable; educated: the informed consumer.

[hypatia_]

Stating the meaning of a word does not refute the argument that the word evolved incorrectly.

[Calidore]

From Merriam-Webster:

Origin of INFORM
Middle English, from Anglo-French enformer, from Latin informare, from in- + forma form
First Known Use: 14th century

Origin of FORM
Middle English forme, from Anglo-French furme, forme, from Latin forma form, beauty
First Known Use: 13th century

***********

"In" is only one negative prefix. "Un" is the one used with "form" in the sense you mean, Hypatia.

[mona amon]

Stating the meaning of a word does not refute the argument that the word evolved incorrectly.

Oh OK. I misunderstood. But why do you say it evolved incorrectly?

The prefix in- can mean 'in, into, towards, inside' and not just the negative 'not, without'.

Inform - 'form' is strengthened by the addition of the prefix in- (into form), not negated by it.

[108 fountains]

The word 'inform' comes from two Latin words - 'in' and 'formo'.
'Formo' is a verb meaning 'to form' or 'to shape' or 'to fashion'. The present infinitive conjugative form of the word in Latin is 'formare'.
The Latin 'in' is a preposition that can have several meanings depending on its usage, most commonly it means 'into', 'within', 'toward', 'against', and 'not'.

Combined 'in'+'formo', 'informo' or 'informare' in Latin means 'to give form or shape to something' or 'to conceive something' such as an idea. So in this case the prefix 'in' is used in the sense of 'within' as in 'to give shape to something within'.
(The Latin noun derivative is 'informatio' meaning 'concept' or 'idea')

The word evolved to become 'enformer' in Middle French, and became 'inform' in Middle English

While it is true that the modern English prefix 'in-' (meaning 'not') did derive from the Latin 'in', in the case of the modern word 'inform', the prefix has always meant 'within' (other examples of modern words with prefix 'in-' meaning 'within' are inside, inbreed, inborn, infer, infuse, inoculate, inter, invade, etc.)

[hypatia_]

Got it. What's the study of the evolution/history of words called?

[Frostball]

That would be etymology.

[cacian]

inform can also mean informal and therefore the information is neither here or there I assuming.

[PeterL]

Stating the meaning of a word does not refute the argument that the word evolved incorrectly.

I understand what you mean about a choice being formed, but language evolves as it will; words do not "evolve incorrectly"; although they may evolve in ways that you don't like.

[hypatia_]

I understand what you mean about a choice being formed, but language evolves as it will; words do not "evolve incorrectly"; although they may evolve in ways that you don't like.

Good call.

[JBI]

inform can also mean informal and therefore the information is neither here or there I assuming.

Have never heard inform used as informal. I suspect that may just be your personal vernacular as a short form, or maybe a mild confusion of words.

[MorpheusSandman]

Got it. What's the study of the evolution/history of words called?As Frostball says, it's etymology, and here's a good etymology dictionary: http://www.etymonline.com/index.php

[missylovalova]

If someone says, "You should study the latest research in this field so you can make a more informed choice," ......


Wouldn't it be a more formed choice? The choice is a decision, and the more you research, the more "formed" it will be. If you're making an informed choice, you're saying it could be more formed.

Etymology aside...... the principle makes complete sense. Even if my 'informed' decision was on the basis of countless background research, it would inevitably become an amalgamated/morphed form of that information, even if the new form was your own and one day goes on to inform another persons decision. You are making a more 'formed choice', but it's based on the tried and tested forms therefore a theoretically smart decision to make - not the most innovative.

There's a short essay by sociologist Georg Simmel called The Conflict in Modern Culture, which gives an interesting study of the dialectic between form and formlessness.

[mal4mac]

Stating the meaning of a word does not refute the argument that the word evolved incorrectly.

You cannot evolve incorrectly, evolution "just happens".

[ennison]

Did the dodo? Wish it could give an opinion? I do. Dear dodo what did you think of the path you found yourself on? Course that is just frivolity.

[AuntShecky]

If you’re interested in the history of the English language, you’ll enjoy The Story of English in 100 Words. Published in 2011, this slim volume presents a highly-entertaining journey through the centuries with etymologist David Crystal (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Crystal) as your tour-guide.


Starting with the first English word (“roe”), the trip concludes with one of our newest words, “twittersphere.” (Of course, ending at #100 is just a temporary lay-over, as the language keeps evolving and doesn’t really “end.”)

Along the way you’ll discover that the conjunction “and” was originally an abbreviation, that the word “wicked” underwent a “radical alteration,” as did # 14, “bridegroom.” You’ll also find out how the word “hello” (#63) became common through technology; how another word “robot” (#77) entered the language from the world of literature, and how foreign words and phrases enriched our language –“schmooze” (#70.) You’ll be surprised to learn that the Internet abbreviation “lol” didn’t start out standing for what it does today.

You’ll blush at the appearance around the 13th century of what might be considered the most “taboo” word in English. It’s not the one you might think it is, by the way. If you want to know what this word is, you’ll have to check out the book. If I told you more, I’d be instantly banned from the LitNet!

Auntie