Christine writes:
I am homeschooling my daughter. She wrote a sentence using the word "tranquility" as follows: "She felt tranquility." I didn't think this was correct and said the correct usage would be, "She felt tranquil."
As a paid-up member of the Parents' Union, I side with you! Seriously, the more frequent usage would be the adjective "tranquil" instead of the noun "tranquility." Consider: She felt happiness/happy. She felt anger/angry.
You could use the noun, but it sounds more abstract. It would do in a sermon or a speech to the nation, where a more elevated "register" might be suitable. (Register is the choice of words that help define a social relationship between speaker/writer and listener/reader...in most homes, for example, daughters don't address their mothers by either the mother's first name or family name...and daughters know they're in trouble when Mom says: Angela Joan Smith, come here this minute!")
But for everyday use, go with the adjective. And I hope this restores tranquility in your home!
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