Here are some situations where you might use denotation:
* Technical writing: When you're writing manuals, instructions, or scientific papers, you need to be precise and unambiguous. Using denotation ensures everyone understands the meaning in the same way.
* Legal documents: Contracts, laws, and other legal documents rely heavily on denotation to avoid ambiguity and ensure clarity.
* Formal speeches and presentations: When you're addressing a large audience, you want to make sure your message is understood clearly. Denotation helps you to avoid misunderstandings and ensure everyone is on the same page.
* Academic writing: Researchers use denotation to avoid bias and ensure that their findings are interpreted objectively.
Examples:
* Word: "Home"
* Denotation: A place of residence.
* Connotation: Warmth, comfort, family, security.
* Word: "Dog"
* Denotation: A domesticated canine.
* Connotation: Loyalty, companionship, friendliness (or sometimes aggression).
In contrast, connotation is used when you want to convey the emotional, subjective meaning of a word or phrase. It's about the associations and feelings that a word evokes.
Remember: While denotation is important for clarity and precision, it's often helpful to consider connotation as well, especially in creative writing, advertising, and everyday conversation.