Argthtjtr

Is there a word that functions the same as “is facilitated by” in a cleaner way?

My writing currently contains the following question: “Do reading and writing require contrasting skill sets?”

What I am trying to state in a simple way is “does a skill set that supports writing make reading more difficult because the skills that facilitate writing directly contrast with the skills that facilitate reading?”

I think “require” is not appropriate because it is too strong. Really, reading is facilitated by a particular skill set, it does not require that specific skill set.

However “Are reading and writing facilitated by contrasting skill sets” feels clunky.

Here are some word replacements I’m considering:

• Do reading and writing draw on contrasting skill sets?


• Do reading and writing leverage contrasting skill sets?


• Are reading and writing compatible with contrasting skill sets?

I would suggest Are reading and writing informed by different skill sets?

This employs OED sense 8b of the verb inform:

8b. Of a quality, principle, etc.: to be the determinant principle of;
to give a thing its essential quality or character; to inspire,
animate; to pervade. In later use more generally: (of an experience,
etc.) to influence, to affect.

▸ a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus De Proprietatibus
Rerum (BL Add.) f. 27 Þis spirit animalis..passiþ in þe middel den
þat hatte logica to make þe intellect and vndirstondinge parfite. And
whanne he haþ informed þe intellect, þanne he passiþ to þe denne of
mynde.

?a1475 (▸?a1425) tr. R. Higden Polychron. (Harl. 2261) (1865) I.
33 (MED) Cristen men..when feithe and grace of sacramentes informede
the life of theyme.

?1555 T. Paynell tr. J. L. Vives Office of Husband sig. Qiiij The
good example of ye husband, the which to informe and fashion the
womans life, and his family withall, is of no lesse valure and force,
then the example of a prince to informe the publique maners & customes
of a citye.

1605 G. Chapman Al Fooles i. i Without loue..All vertues borne in
men lye buried, For loue informes them as the Sunne dothe colours.

1667 Milton Paradise Lost iii. 593 Not all parts like, but all
alike informd Which [read With] radiant light, as glowing Iron with
fire. 1700 S. Cobb Poetae Britannici 12 Unstol'n Promethean
Fire informs his Song.

1771 Muse in Miniature 144 This scull might once contain Some rich
materials for the lofty strain, Enform'd, enrapt with more than mortal
fire.

1814 H. F. Cary tr. Dante Vision III. vii. 132 The elements..and
what of them is made, Are by created virtue inform'd.

1820 Shelley Prometheus Unbound i. i. 31 Speak the words which I
would hear, Although no thought inform thine empty voice.

1871 M. B. Betham-Edwards Sylvestres II. ii. 38 Even in..happy
England the spirit of caste informs the very breath and life of the
nation.

1912 H. Belloc This & That 222 Just as an Englishman is English or
as a poem is informed by a definite scheme of rhythm.

1942 E. K. Chambers Sheaf of Stud. 100 There can be no doubt that
an early familiarity..with great books is one of the forces which make
most strongly for education. Insensibly, by ways silent and undreamt
of, it informs the character and moulds the imagination.

1996 Observer Life 31 Mar. 24/1 The belief that the British
working class is in terminal decline is often informed by a particular
idea about what working classness is.

2001 Amer. Hist. Rev. 106 1512/2 We see little of how his early
experience informed his worldview or affected his inner life.

It sounds as though you're laying the groundwork for the old observation, "Don't confuse a love of reading with a gift for writing."

You can simply state that "reading and writing involve disparate [rather than contrasting] skills."

To address your longer statement, the gifts of creation and synthesis that enable one to be a writer don't hinder one from reading; on the other hand, the skills of comprehension and analysis that are required to effectively explicate a text aren't required to be able to enjoy reading it.

(Which I suppose is a long-winded way of saying that I'm not sure that I support your premise...)

If I understand the contrast you are making with reading vs. writing, you wish to ask whether their corresponding skill sets "synergize" or "antagonize" each other.

https://www.thefreedictionary.com/synergy

https://www.thefreedictionary.com/antagonize