Abstraction in language

Imagine multiple stone pathways across a stream. On the first path, the stones are an inch apart. On the second path, they are a foot apart. On the third path, they are 4 feet apart. On the first path, each step is easy because the stones are almost touching each other. On the second path, you have to take fewer steps to get to the other side, but it may be faster because of your natural stride. On the third path, you have to make a fairly good leap from stone to stone - you get across quickly, but it is difficult. This image, to me, represents the process of abstraction in language. We use more or less words to get from one point to the next, and all that changes is the amount of time and effort involved in the crossing.