My editor, says that using an overused word once a page is absolutely fine as a general rule, so if in doubt, leave it in and let your editor make the final call. Heres the deal: Youve been using literally the wrong way all along. With over 170,000 words at your disposal, there should always be an option thats both apt and original. There are several kinds of asas expressions in English. Often, a clich or over-used phrase can be directly replaced with one or two simple words. Like other the Copyright 2022 Informa PLC If its urgent, state it. Clichs, overused words and phrases, and jargon can often annoy readers. If you have multiple writers and editors, it likely isnt hard to find them. Over the last year and a half, my degree and my job have taken up most of my life. When people who are not Native American use this word, its a form of cultural appropriation that disrespects the significance of cultural practices, rituals, or emblems. Former college adjunct faculty, Ann also helps train professionals in content so they can do it themselves. Heres another ball metaphor. Using too many adjectives is a common writing mistake for all writers not just newbies. Not to mention, it also wrongly assumes that all relationships have a male and female counterpart. If you have to search for it or, even better, take time compare it to something that is similar yet different then its a more interesting choice. What a great idea for a post! GOOGLE FOR PRESIDENT! Thanks, Shawn! It just comes across as quite clichd to me, and is such an overused word in travel writing. My characters totally say totally quite a lot, and other daggy things But thats dialogue, so I figure its totally okay. In fact, I recently heard a professional travel writer say he keeps his writing skills polished by teaching at writers conferences. . . Lock me up and throw away the key, because I have definitely described a city as a fascinating blend of the ancient and the modern. I am also not a fan of anyone calling themselves a guru, ever. If you mean someone should focus or pay complete attention to a thing, then thats what you should say. Just reading yummy mummy made me cringe, ha. A verb contains all the action: writing, editing, getting published, signing copies of your book for fans. Think about what youre actually trying to say about content, like how powerful messaging impacts customer behavior and use that instead. It happened to all of us before. The author Leonie Mack told me Its annoying how our brains adapt. I keep working more and more on improving my vocab, but I have to admit the years of not writing much has increased not the words that I know but the ones that I go to instinctually. Yes, Id love to read how you used these overused adverbs, nouns, and cliches in writingwill check it out. Learn how your comment data is processed. Oh yeah, and Im also trying to cut out almost every very and really from my writing. Whimsical??? Your email address will not be published. Will try harder I promise! You want it to sound right, current, eloquent. Then check out Ben Blatts book Nabokovs Favorite Word is Mauve. The one I hate the most is friendly locals. Maybe its the cynic in me, but I know that more often than not, there are loads of not-so-friendly locals, too lets hear about them as well! How do you know they are accurate? Its used to preface the speakers point or to highlight the most important aspect of the situation (Collins Dictionary). Getting careful editing is one of the overlooked benefits of writing for print. Also Destiny Disrupted, The Twilight War, Out of the Mountains, and Instant City. We cant truly love every place we visit, just like we cant love every single person we date. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. The following guide lists some of todays most overused words, terms and phrases, and suggests a few alternatives (and deletions) instead. I also shudder when I read or hear the word authentic, which I wrote a whole blog post about here. Im sure many of us are guilty of it. Not too long ago, this term referred to reefs, beehives or the Savannah. Or do you tend to pad out your prose with filler words like just, then, and that? I booked marked this, so I can try to improve with my writing! I'm Laurie, creator of Uprooted She Blossoms and author of Growing Forward When You Can't Go Back. What to use instead: Industry, Community, Network, System, Co-dependence, Inter-relations. Theyre easy to think of (because theyre top of mind), they may easily convey a concept (because they were once original), or they may be popular with the intended audience (because theyre used frequently). What lazy phrases do you use? What to use instead: Cool, Awesome, Wonderful, Pretty, Fun, Unusual. The sight of a mother duck leading her ducklings into a lake might be a nice one, but it doesnt really convey the need to get organized, prepare, and get every element in place, does it? Bear in mind though, when you begin your cull, dont be too ruthless. The Wix website builder offers a complete solution from enterprise-grade infrastructure and business features to advanced SEO and marketing toolsenabling anyone to create and grow online. To put it gently, the Web allows a lot of autodidacts to run amok. Are they as precise as they could be? I ended up having to go back and put words back in, because the sentences no longer sounded right. For a few, consider scattered, negligible, or rare. Thats it. Reflexive pronouns can usually be cut from a sentence without reducing meaning, e.g., instead of he himself did it, say he did it. Feel the need to be more creative And youre making me want to do this masters more!! Whatever you see around you is real, and whatever you see around you is now a part of the Thai culture. Then it was hijacked by the tech industry and today it is used to describe business partnerships, co-working spaces or financial networks. Cynthia Spiers He uses numbers to Basically, this meeting is about moving forward to the next phase of our project. Mike Sweeney understood the need for clichs tone-deaf, unprecedented, etc. I realize that you cant do this for every piece of content. All too often, though, its used with adjectives strong enough to stand on their own. Also, there is widespread abuse of reflexive pronouns, such as himself, itself and herself. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You can also upload a document to get an instant quote. Tutoring is one of the best ways to learn how to write better. Think outside the box. Great list. So, weve rounded up some of the words writers most often use over and over. Were not saying you should never use these words, but there are more interesting alternatives you might want to consider next time you sit down to write. Want more tips on writing? Sign up for Writing Inspiration right in your inbox! What to use instead: Original, Sophisticated, Smart, Promising. Your readers will thank you. From my searches on this blog, and through my (shaky) memory, I am pretty sure Ive never written the words hidden gem on here. But even if you did it once a month or so, youd boost your word accuracy in other content too. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. The point is that people should stay at least 6 feet away from each other. So is totally! These words (along with the phrase in my opinion) can therefore be dropped. After eleven years of solo travel and over 90 countries, I'm currently living in London and fulfilling my other dream of becoming a writer. Suhail Omar adds a few more words to the accuracy checklist largest, biggest, best. One of the largest, biggest, best in the region is the most abused sentence by marketers, Suhail tweets. So if youre describing something that really stands out, use unique, or rare, unusual, different, exclusive. Thank you, AussieExpat (one of my readers), for keeping it real and not letting me forget my promise to compile this list of over-used words and phrases in writing! Do you do something similar to your readers? If you do want to offer your opinion on the overall quality of something, try to think of a more powerful alternative. The bottom line? More seriously, it could lack meaning and come across as lazy and unimaginative. I know I over-use them, but I just. When it comes to your work environment, wouldnt it be better to simply use the following phrases? A bear!. By the way, Laurie, you look filled with the Spirit, and thats great. No can do and long time no see. Instead of using clichs and overdone descriptors, find fresh images that will bring your characters and setting to life. What to use instead: Essential, Educational, Meaningful, Serious, Influential, Decisive. Its certainly something that all writers need to think about. The simplest solution to avoid overused words is to realize youre doing it and then take steps to use them less often. Ha! Shes also a mom to three daughters and two adorable dogs. Looking to create a blog? But over the years theyve been overused to the point where theyve become stale, unoriginal, and more likely to detract from a piece of writing than add to it. Oh no I pledge guilty with almost all those that are listed above , [] The Most Overused Words in Travel Writing hit my inbox in April. Or Tom looked at his friend.. Want to describe the fun evening you spent with your mates? Leverage why cant we just use something , Synergies I really only hear that word when the person has no idea what theyre talking about , Crisis and recovery phase, tactical solutions, customized/personalized solutions, customer journey, content is king, bite-sized, brand identity, new normal , Cross-functional, circle back, align or alignment , New normal, new now, unprecedented times, snackable content, bite-sized content , Engagement it was overused pre-pandemic and it has gotten worse . Not sure? If youre serious about learning the mechanics of writing, check out Mignon Fogartys The Grammar Devotional: Daily Tips for Successful Writing from Grammar Girl youll learn a new tip for great writing every day. Come up with a list of industry and brand concepts you frequently use in your content. Here are a few more good feeling words to use. , its a good idea to be on the same page with the rest of the singers. The original saying is deeply connected to a history of slavery in the US where disatisfied slave owners would sell slaves down the Mississippi river to much harsher conditions. There are two ways to avoid these overused degree words. This article is a great read on how non-Black people misuse African American Vernacular English (AAVE or BVE) for social capital. I also have this blog, and other freelance assignments, so you guessed it, more writing. Likewise, if youre tempted to label something as bad, consider why you feel its bad and find a more expressive and meaningful alternative. For the full disclosure/privacy policy, please click here. It might be new, clever, different. Your team gets so used to them, they no longer see those as words to evaluate and edit. Are you actually talking about the real end of the day? Its a no-brainer to change this tired word to easy or simple to avoid coming off as patronizing.10. One of the problems with look is the tendency to keep the sentence around it nice and simple. No one intends to create boring content, so dont allow these common writing mishaps to turn off your readers. But when you go on a road trip and stop by the first cafe you saw, its not a random cafe, its the one you found. For me, the disclaimer at the front of this list says it all. The word wanderlust by itself grates on my nerves anymore. As a content specialist, gets equally excited about content, product, platforms and putting it all together. I wrote a strange introduction to this art museum in Cyprus in which I describe how often I use superlatives. He dipped back into her core, pushing two fingers inside her, growling as she tensed around him. It belongs on my over-used words andphrases in writing list? , an ecosystem is the complex of living organisms, their physical environment and all their interrelationships in a particular unit of space. If its not taking place at 6 pm, then what you really mean is finally or ultimately. And some, as well discover, are counterproductive to greater inclusion in the workplace. And the more I do, the more I realize Im not very good at it all the time. For more ways to avoid over-used words, readHow to Write Good Sentences 5 Tips for Making Your Words Flow. Ann regularly combines words and strategy for B2B, B2C, and nonprofits, continuing to live up to her high school nickname, Editor Ann. Im definitely guilty of overusing all these words, especially when it comes to superlatives. Erin Wainwright offers up another inaccurate and overused word: unique. Editing others also has made me notice a few of my own actually, in fact, just, currently, etc. However, be careful not to pick words that are too obscure. It just strikes me as a lazy word, though I understand the desire to use it there arent that many words that mean the same thing that arent as overused in travel writing, too. You have stuff; your neighbour has stuff. If it did, its a cliche. Fellow scribes, if you have any over-used words in writing, adverbs, adjectives, clichs, or weak phrases to throw into the ring (excuse the clich), I welcome you with open arms (excuse the clich). (And if your customer-centric content reflects the brand more than the customer, delete the phrase. Now, youre probably trying to be clever and look out for the overused words, but the chances are, if the story is good enough and youre completely caught up in it, you wouldnt have noticed them. Social distancing has become a popular phrase, but its a poorly worded one. . Toms face was ghastly green.. Accept. It was a wonderful laugh, full of joy and life. SO as an adverb is so overused as to invoke nausea. I had heard that before, but for some reason it stuck with me this time. Fellow scribes, remember that an over-used adverb can be delicious and even juicy when its used in a surprising way. .-= Michelle Salaters last blog post ..Is Your Advertising as Effective as It Should Be? Great, Tamara, Im glad this list was helpful. This was a great read! This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Yes, there are definitely times some of these words are allowed but never yummy! This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. you missed a HUGE one Over-used adverb literally compliments of everyone under 40. And thank you so much for such a nice comment, I definitely struggle with cliches every day, but I look at it as a challenge to push my writing to be as best as it can be. Youre writing a. What?! If youre in Thailand, youre in Thailand. It was fun to read your post. Did you ever read the lyrics of a favorite song and realize you had been singing them wrong for many years? Whats the Difference Between an Observation and an Inference? Make a list you can keep on hand digitally or physically consisting of your most overused words. Then the man-bear started laughing. #CMWorld, 57+ Content Tools, Tips, and Examples to Make Your Writing Better, 5 More Exercises to Make Your Writing Powerful, Play dumb in your #writing and readers will silently thank you, says @AnnGynn via @cmicontent. Do this periodic exercise my Spanish professor required look up every single word or phrase in your content. Oxford Dictionaries has some. Use expand your thinking, stretch your imagination, or examine from a different perspective instead. Ive always found this phrase to be a trifle bossy. Top 10 Overused Words In The English Language 1. Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter! Now extrapolate that situation out over an eighty thousand word novel and youve got a writer (me) wanting to run for the hills (not laughing), and never look back. Then go back and rethink them. Laugh went from 118 instances to 61, and finger went from 123 to 58. What to use instead: Accidental, Arbitrary, Incidental, Irregular, Unplanned, Odd. Or if your content is so dense that explanations will disrupt the flow, create a glossary at the end (and link to each term in the copy). We dont want to insult anybodys intelligence. Readers are more likely to disengage when they come across tiresome and unoriginal means of expression. Cant wait for the book, Good thing I am not a travel writerI feel like I use the word amazing so much , Ha ha there are many words I say out loud that I can never actually write in an article! Writers are often guilty of assuming they know a words meaning and using it frequently until they get caught or hear someone use it correctly. Even if they cant remember off hand, they can pay close attention the next time they review your work and make notes to share with you. Get the ball rolling is such a beautiful, graphic phrase. If youd like any of your professional writing checked for errors, our proofreaders can help. Then it was hijacked by the tech industry and today it is used to describe business partnerships, co-working spaces or financial networks. I agree. To add I think suggests uncertainty, while I believe implies that others might disagree. What to use instead: At your convenience, When youre ready, What would be a reasonable deadline? Before you publish your words, make sure theyre accurate. Whats that you say? This saying perpetuates that its manly to be in a dominant or powerful position. No offense taken, Robert Earle Howellsyoure one of my favorite scribes (er, I mean wordsmiths), and Im always happy to experience feedback from fellow writerly folk . Overusing this one is a big pet peeve in business, so its definitely one to avoid. Since when it became clear that it is a must to have one? When I think of it now, I sometimes mischievously use French words and phrases when I cant come up with something fitting in English. Watching the news, eating your greens, taking some time off, and the email you just sent to the entire company. If you havent paid for a premium subscription on a music streaming app, the songs in your favorite album will play randomly. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. If you have editors who frequently edit your content, ask them. Does it add anything to the meaning, the tone or the accuracy of your sentence? And as a content creator, thats the last thing you want to happen. I simplymust see it? Delete random altogether. I know I will come back to this post from time to time to help with my own writing- thanks! It sounds like someones being chased, rather than being encouraged to seize an opportunity and start a project prepared, and at full speed. I love Chuck Thompson, another of his called To Hellholes and Back is also brilliant. I will enjoy perusing your site more and to read your articles! Damn. You forgot AWESOME!! While Im acutely aware of many typical clichs and overused words, too often they still manage to slither their way into first drafts of my writing! The doctors used lingo, acronyms, and brief explanations they knew backward and forward. I promised a reader in the comments section of 5 Over-Used Words and Phrases for Writers to Avoid that Id write this postand here it is, finally. Ann Gynn edits the CMI blog. Write for Print Magazines Tips for Beginning Your Writing Career, 10 Things You Need to Know About Writing for Readers Digest. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. While the pandemic affects all of us, the catch phrase, particularly the word together, often is a misnomer. Unless you are required to use the official language of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, use the more precise phrase. Evidence shows that so many people are being left out. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Zoe felt her toes tingle. According to Grammarphobia, at the end of the day has been used for decades, and first citings can even be traced to as early as the 1880s. Im glad you enjoyed the post, Karin. And if youre an author, how do you keep on top of them? Download, The Ultimate Guide to Developing Your Company's Tone of Voice, The Great Resignation and D&I: What it Means for Your Business. Informa UK Limited is part of Informa PLC. Epic,sun-dappled, nestled, friendly locals, bucket list, foodie, magical (Im totally guilty of that one), Ill be back one day (also guilty of that a lot) and, let us not forget, a fascinating blend of the ancient and the modern. After travelling to more than 100 countries over the past 15 years, many of them solo, I tend to write about travel a lot, but I write about other things, too: getting dumped, buying way too much jewellery, and yeah, OK, whisky (none of those things are related, I swear). Something can never be very or really unique. But you should play dumb in your writing. Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. You may have had little time or desire to ask them to explain what they were saying. Browse overused words in writing tombstone resources on Teachers Pay Teachers, a marketplace trusted by millions of teachers for original educational resources. Great Post Brenna! Oh HAHA! Any illusion she had of control dissipated. I hate must-see as well as everyone has different things that they are into, I also hate You cant miss same reason. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Some Native American tribes believe in spirit animals or totems, which serve to guide and protect them. Being aware of issues of racial or social injustice or an activist for social justice. Im guilty too, dont worry. 3 Answers. A good essay writing service should first of all provide guarantees: for the previously agreed amount of money. Picturesque? And yes, I was featured on the Culture Trip recently, thank you so much! But when you go on a road trip and stop by the first cafe you saw, its not a, It happens time and time again. Have a look at these alternatives to the above examples: In the first two, we replaced two adjectives with a single, more powerful one, making the sentences more dynamic and concise. I agree with what you said about you being the exotic one! The funny thing about clichs, is that they didnt start as clichs. Drink: Cold brew coffee and Lebanese wine are getting me through. When you watch a trapeze artist, a Beluga whale coming up for air or your baby walking for the very first timethats amazing. Description. She brings more than two decades of marketing leadership to her role as Vice President, Content & Product Marketing. Here are the worst offenders in both books, plus laugh and finger (please note how I lowered the usage from one book to the other): But even when we try to get rid of one overused phrase, another one will step in to take its place. During these unprecedented, historic times (wink, wink), our lexicon has both grown and become stunted. Follow Ann on Twitter @anngynn or connect on LinkedIn. Stephen Kings memoir on writing is brilliant- (I feel like this is a time this word is definitely allowed!) But readers see through those inaccurate phrases and in rare circumstances may call brands out for using them. I recently wrote an article only to discover Id used the wordbeautiful six times in eight hundredwords. Consider the cultural differences of your target audience. What to use instead: Excellent, Ideal, Impeccable, Superb, Accomplished, Faultless, Immaculate. Look it up. I posted it to my blog if you would like to read it. No, wait. I am waiting on the day that Google becomes a cliche lolI guess Ill probably be the only one waiting on that one, especially since they have taken over the world lol. Im doing a significant amount of content writing for a client and tips like this are always interesting to me. Why not try us out today by sending 500 words to proofread for free? One of the most overused buzzwords to come out of business, synergize is also one of the most stigmatized. Though I definitely am guilty of superlatives and loving everything I just feel superlatively in love with every place that I visit! Thank you for the reminder to keep our writing quality high! The Great Resignation: true or false? When using industry jargon, offer an explanation. According to the, If you want to succeed in this world, your new product, program, project or creation has got to be. But do you fact-check your words? This can be revised as "Her face was inches from his own. Get your content insights from the flock! Ive mentioned it here before, but I am currently working on a full-time Masters degree in Creative (Non-Fiction) Writing. I feel the same way. Its up to you, fellow scribes. The only things Ive found will help are to read every day and write every day. That means ditching overused expressions! if you have told us the over used adjectives you should also have told us the alternates to them. So, mostly out of sheer self-shaming (in the hopes that I never blog/write using these words again or at least minimise my use of them) here are the words I think are overused in travel writing and travel blogging. If so, your writing is in danger of becoming boring and predictable. Literally just sounds great, doesnt it? Loves words, sentences, paragraphs and everything in between. Visiting the Canadian Museum for Human Rights: A How to See Beluga Whales in Churchill, Manitoba. But no matter whether you see yourself landing on the beach somewhere, or as an animated character being thrown off a speeding car you can say youre ready without using this expression. Avoid this phrase by saying working in harmony, having a shared understanding, or coming from the same perspective.. - Jack Kerouac. What to use instead: Ground-breaking, Original, Cutting-edge, New. What to use instead: Beautiful, Wonderful, Talented, Entertaining, Cleverand the list goes on. Unfortunately, content marketers often are guiltier than others forgoing their mission to attract readers in favor of sounding smart with jargon, acronyms, and multisyllabic words repeated throughout their content. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Similarly, I despise when people describe a persons looks as exotic. Overused Words Report This report helps you spot commonly overused words and sentence constructions that weaken your manuscript, including generic descriptions, passive voice, adverbs, and more. One of the best books Ive ever read on travel writing isSmile When Youre Lying by Chuck Thompson. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. wearing the pants, know that this saying can be traced back to a time when pants were considered an article of clothing only for men. Writing tip: Replace your boring over-used tired limp adjectives with strong nouns (eg, instead of successfully obtains, use wins). About me. What to use instead: Alike, Related, Close, Equal, Identical, Much the same. The same applies to omitting it everywherethe more so because its omission can sometimes cause ambiguity. The second section is about the act of writing, and I found his advice to be invaluable often harsh, but invaluable. If youre one of those writers who has a hard time spotting their own over-used words, read 5 Editing Tips That Will Elevate Your Writing. I like to think I keep improving but I plan on continuing to work on it. But no matter how long weve been using this phrase, we certainly have been using it too often. Shipping and payments. More. And up next? The result? Instead of good or great, consider remarkable, terrific, or phenomenal. Same goes for scrumptious, tasty, and for *and I gag*yummy. .-= Laurie Pawlik-Kienlens last blog post ..Starting a Magazine Writing Career How to Make Money as a Freelancer =-. Le sigh I am so so so guilty of the above. And if there is an innovation at the heart of what you just presented? I always imagine some snails when i hear meander, its some weird association I have. Here are a few more good feeling words to use. Youre writing a follow-up email, creating a presentation or preparing for a job interview. I really enjoyed your post. But no matter, the road is life." Informa PLCs registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Bob .-= Robert Earle Howells Surefire Writings last blog post ..Freelance Writers: A Caution About Content Farms =-. At some point, we have all been guilty of relying on overused How many times would the word box have to be used? Add to cart. (Overused Words) Overusing perfect can make things sound a We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Across the board, everything I write has some sort of connection to travelling. Number 3099067. The company must have a polite support service that will competently advise the client, answer all questions and support until the end of the cooperation. Unexpected, surprising, erratic, and peculiar are just a few of the many adjectives that are infinitely more thought-provoking than this old baseball term. I still really love the word wanderlust, as I dont really know another way to describe what I feel (itchy feet isnt a favourite phrase of mine, either). Especially love, must-see, magical, and the superlatives. The word other is very versatile, but it is also very over-used. There are many useful resources for assessing which words you overuse, and Margaret Amatt has a great crib sheet which can be downloaded here: However, always bear in mind that there may be many words on her list that you dont use at all, and many words that didnt make her list that run rampant through your work. Further information can be found in our privacy notice. Gritty and hilarious, it will make you think twice about using some of these words in travel writing again. Hit the ground running. Probably not. Completely and totally fall in the same category. But they can stay close socially otherwise all those Zoom happy hours shouldnt be happening. . Im not just talking about spelling and grammar. Please note that some links on This Battered Suitcase are affiliates (at no extra cost to you); I only recommend products I use and love. Glad Im not the only one, the overused cliche i hate the most isoff the beaten path. I think youd love the program! This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. Generally, if that follows an attributive verb (e.g., say, think), it can be removed. "So" is also overused as a conjunction. One of the most overused buzzwords to come out of business, synergize is also one of the most stigmatized. Overused, incorrect, and fuzzy words have plagued writing for centuries. Technically speaking, if youre in a foreign country, youre the exotic one. Instead, consider what you like about the idea and find a word that communicates that (e.g., inventive or clever). Join me as I continue to look for these adventures. Glad I could make you laugh, Jill! Now what I do after each blog post or article Ive written is a word search for words I know Im guilty of overusing. Repeatedly using the word said, especially in writing and story telling, can be quite boring! (And speaking of thanks, heres a shoutout to all who responded to my Twitter call for #overusedwords some of the replies are included below.). More often, however, you can use a stronger adjective. Feeling like I cant share a travel experience without using a whole lot of cliches is one reason why my blogging has decreased so much over the past few years. I really hoped theyd include you when I saw the topic!) The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". I firmly believe there is adventure everywhere, so long as you keep your eyes (and your mind, and your heart) open. I hate when people use scrumptious and yummy to describe a person! Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Any great truth can and eventually will be expressed as a clichand a clich is a sure and certain way to dilute an idea. ~ Solomon Short. Example: "Her face was inches from his own, so he leaned forward and kissed her." Constructive criticism is always helpful. Ha ha Im with you! Oh man, this made me laugh. The Writer's Lexicon: Descriptions, Overused Words, and Taboos. Im not very happy, Im elated. If you notice the similarity between two items, state what they have in common. These statistics are really worrying. Big words dont equal great writing. Saying something or someone is your spiritual animal is intended to mean you identify strongly with that object or person. I appreciate you. Pretty simple and straightforward. Some examples include: If you say that someone sells you down the river youre trying to say youve been betrayed or feel cheated. I have nothing against using this word to describe food. Well done! Say it like you mean it, and youll be the trusted speaker you want to be. Stop. But now I will consciously try not to! Download our second edition Tone of Voice eBooktoday! Both phrases are forms of mockery of poorly spoken English, often by those of Chinese origin. But no matter how long weve been using this phrase, we certainly have been using it too often. For the last couple of years Ive used ProWritingAid to help me edit and revise a book Ive been working on, and until recently it worked fine other than the odd disappearance from Word, which required reloading the program. Try some of these. Treat unique like pregnant it is or it isnt. Read: Im going back to college and re-reading The Elements of Style and Draft No. It might suggest a different approach. So, how does the first and final draft of Highland Games compare now in terms of overused words? The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. Why? No, he writes, Its uncharted territory. The customer was quite unhappy. With almost everything your audience reads, it brings that context. You know fact-checking is a critical step for your content. At least give them a three-month hiatus, he suggests. Bustling marketplaces is one I feel like I see a lot (and am guilty of using too)! Im amazed that you can write for so many outlets and still find new and interesting ways to express yourself. He leaned Yes, I think that is definitely overused, too! It makes me want to be contrary and not see the place. Amazing post, I am really guilty of using the best of these words in my brilliant blog . Answer: A lot. In the Encyclopdia Britannica, an ecosystem is the complex of living organisms, their physical environment and all their interrelationships in a particular unit of space. I dont think that using these words in travel writing is awful the problem occurs when theyre the only words that are used at all. Heres a paragraph from chapter one of Highland Games, when Zoe accidentally tells Rory she thought he was a bear. Have a pen and paper handy (or simply highlight) to record words and phrases you use too often. This Battered Suitcase is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. A better alternative? This article is a great read on, how non-Black people misuse African American Vernacular English (AAVE or BVE) for social capital. Why? On other occasions, you should replace the modified word with something more descriptive: The report is accurate and beautifully presented. The Best Craft Breweries in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Misc. But when describing your weekly team meeting, an item in your hand-luggage or this blog post, try an alternative. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Also, need to get my hands on that last book you mentioned by Chuck Thompson, sounds like a good read! I took your list of overused adjectives and wrote a little paragraph using the words. Overused, incorrect, fuzzy words have plagued #writing for centuries, says @AnnGynn via @cmicontent. (Raising my hand here.) I see many instances where COVID-19 clichs can be removed and not replaced. They can convey so much. Youre using something to its maximum advantage, not exerting force using a lever. Super awesome . Watch out for other unnecessary words like actually, honestly, and definitely. This list is purely my subjective opinion, snark and all, so Id love to hear your thoughts and your additions in the comments! Probably. Do you agree with thislist of overused words in travel writing? Thanks for the motivation to get a touch more creative. In all three examples, the words, just, that, and then can be omitted without altering the meaning. Just because something doesnt suit your assumedimage of a place doesnt mean that it isnt real. I like the idea of using more appropriate words rather than adding very and really in front of the wrong word. I find it appalling that such syntax errors appear even in ancient writings such as English translations of the Holy Bible. You were the one who introduced me to Chuck Thompson, so thank you for that, too. You may have overused words in English that dont clearly express the intention of the source document. The usage of all overused words went down considerably, most by about fifty per cent. The same goes for reading the Haggadah, where one should always know how far they are from finally devouring Matzo Balls. Or what?? In some cases, you can simply remove them without changing the meaning of the sentence. Love Crane that would be the whole arm.. , this phrase now describes every new product, business decision or political statement. If youre telling the truth, no need to highlight it. I agree that the word authentic is extremely subjective! And if you want to give the person on the other side of your outbox a bit of space, use alternative phrases. Theres nothing special about using the same word over and over again. Unfortunately, some words are so overused that readers ignore them altogether. A lot of the time, however, I cringe. Thanks for the comment! But overusing, Theres nothing special about using the same word over and over again. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, literally means in a way that uses the ordinary or primary meaning of a term or expression. . This saying perpetuates that its manly to be in a dominant or powerful position. To be fair, Ive used it on this blog before:The best places to see street art in Berlin are Mitte, Kreuzberg, and Friedrichshain; another must-see is the alleyway off of Rosenthaler Strae, where many different artists have worked together to create a spectacular, ever-changing gallery. I definitely could have come up with another phrase there. Some writing teachers say that Ditch these boring words and phrases! Thanks for the link to the food words, actually putting together another food post right now so will refer to that instead of using delicous a hundred times . In an age of eBooks and online newspapers, people arent on the same page. What else would you add? Eliminate these over-used adverbs, adjectives, and nouns! Which, by the way, are three repetitive words). 1: STUFF We all own stuff. Do you fall back on crutch words like good, really, and absolutely? Some writing is rife with these and that makes for a difficult read. https://www.thesaurus.com/e/writing/s/writing-overused-words The cliches are easy enough to avoid. 7 Tips for Writing for Publication, 8 Ideas for Halloween Blog Posts and Magazine Articles, Synesthesia in Detective Fiction, Books, and Literature (Synaesthesia), 3 Marketing Mistakes I Made With My First Traditionally Published Book, 5 Most Important Steps to Full-Time Writing and Blogging, Synesthesia and the Writing Process: Joanne Harris, Author of Chocolat, How to Find Article Ideas That Editors Will Pay to Publish. And as for a person, if you really want to flatter someone, prettys probably not gonna When I told a dear (male) friend that I had written 395 instances of the word hand, he wrote back to me. And no offense, but Id also banish the word scribe along with wordsmith.. Im guilty of so many of these! Youre literally going to march If youre not engaged in some kind of science experiment, what you mean to say is that a person needs to focus in on the fine details.7. He circled her clitoris with his thumb, inexorably increasing the speed and the pressure. Whats the alternative? You add a pinch of slang and spice it up with that idiom you love so much.Then you throw in a buzzword and leave everything to simmer. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, unique means being the only one [.] ; distinctively characteristic. I know, I need to constantly remind myself of it when writing! #CMWorld, 7 Fixes for Common Writing Mistakes [Examples], Discover the Secrets to Successful Content Creation, A Quick Audit to See If Your Content Passes a COVID-19 Exam. Since I edit some authors frequently, I sometimes can guess who wrote it without looking at the byline. Theres an exciting debate going on regarding the origin of hit the ground running. Think about it: how often do you say the words amazing, cool, awesome, or brilliant? []. I know Im so funny!:p. An editor is a great asset to have on your side, but adding the task of dealing with overused words can often be a job too far depending on what youve paid them for, and its best to do your own job to clean the manuscript up first before you hand it over. (another tired old clichs. early on in the pandemic. So unless you just finished all the alcohol in the bar the other night, or were in a near-death situation, try avoiding this word altogether. Originally from Canada, all I've ever wanted to do is travel. What are your go-to words and phrases that you overuse, asks @AnnGynn via @cmicontent. But if youll avoid some of the trends, buzzwords or simply redundant words on this listyour writing will probably be one step ahead of the game. I cant stand when people say theyve discovered the real Thailand or the real Paris or whatever it is that people think real means. And yet, they become clichs for a reason. The problem I have with this word iswhen it is used to describe a person. Or they can I used often be, which is totally unnecessary. I vow to never write that line or anything like it again. made me laugh ) I agree with all of them except Real .. sorry darling, but if youre staying in a 5 star resort in Kenya and being flown to Masai Mara by a private jet, I have the right to tell you, you did NOT see the REAL Kenya!! No youre just presupposinga shared cultural context. And its true why do we need to say she sprintedquickly, or that he shoutedloudly, or that she pleadedabjectly? US $10.63. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It makes me want to stab something with a spork. It does not store any personal data. When youre tempted to use this word, ask yourself if absolutely adds anything to the meaning. There are some words in creative writing that are terribly overused and common. Luckily, a good dictionary and thesaurus can work wonders on strengthening your writing. And we dont want readers to think were providing the definitions because we had to look them up. While they were completely valid for the time, theyve become so overused. Dealing with my overused words made me so crazy that I wrote a spreadsheet of them, with how many instances there were in both Highland and Hollywood Games. You cant do something or you havent seen someone in a while. That sort of thing. Oh really? Using these can imply that youre trying to persuade the reader of something, which may lead them to question your integrity. Informa UK Limited is a company registered in England and Wales with company number 1072954 whose registered office is 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG. (Fortunately, most people write about fleshing out ideas.). What about in dialogue? By using Content Marketing Institute. I also have colleagues who use simply and certainly egregiously. Important might be correct, but it gets used so much in business writing that its meaning is now diluted. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. These terms vaguely indicate an amount, but you can easily find more descriptive substitutes. This Battered Suitcase is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and links to Amazon.com. You also can review your own material. Heres another example from Highland Games: He dipped his fingers back into her core, gently pushing his middle finger inside her, up to the first knuckle, and she tensed around him. Just like basically and honestly, one should question the need for using this word. Exotic locals dont exist. Confused? (T)he pandemic has revealed so clearly many disparities and inequities.. . Then the man-bear started laughing. Thats clever, Manalto acutely aware may be redundant! But can the game change that often? Overused Phrases and Incorrect Words Hurting Your Writing Words, glorious words. Laurie .-= Laurie Pawlik-Kienlens last blog post ..Starting a Magazine Writing Career How to Make Money as a Freelancer =-. Lets be honest, weve all used this one, havent we? If you want to succeed in this world, your new product, program, project or creation has got to be innovative. For example, the Great Wall of China, or Catherine the Great, the fearless 18th century empress of Russia. A lover of writing and all things content, Cynthia holds a BA from Connecticut College. So, there! Here are our suggestions for swapping out some of those unoriginal words, but youll find plenty more by checking a thesaurus: Subscribe to our newsletter and get writing tips from our editors straight to your inbox. I say it a lot but rarely write it. We meander back to the hotel room, have another cold shower, put on our best clothes (the best meaning the least wrinkled from our backpacks). The fact that youre the writer indicates your agreement with the information. Ever had a medical appointment where you left feeling more confused than when you arrived? Here are some other suggestions for words and phrases to limit or eliminate from your content: Emilie Moreland shared this 3.5-minute video to summarize her view of recent overused words. Your email address will not be published. Follow the old mantra, Show me, dont tell me. Use your words to show how you are in this together and why something is state of the art, leads the industry, focuses on the customer, etc. You see how difficult good writing is?!?!). She's a big fan of whisky and window seats. I recently read Stephen KingsOn Writing a book I recommend for all writers, fiction and non-fiction alike and one of the things he emphasised was to cut out as many adverbs as possible. (No, French is not my native either ;-)), Ha ha we all resort to them at one time or another! But thats just my small opinion on the matter. But no matter, the road is life." Yes, its such a clich to say friendly locals! Hm. Can everything be so peachy all the time? These adjectives just need to be used creatively and carefully. Whether its used in its simple present form, to indicate something that you are fond of (I like this Asian restaurant), or as a preposition (they were like siblings, always hanging out together), Even if you go by the widest definition of, ), youre likely to either misuse or overuse it. Lets change it up. Then read five to 10 pieces youve written. The Grammar Devotional: Daily Tips for Successful Writing from Grammar Girl, 5 Over-Used Words and Phrases for Writers to Avoid, 5 Editing Tips That Will Elevate Your Writing, How to Write Good Sentences 5 Tips for Making Your Words Flow, 11 Most Popular Types of Articles to Write for Magazines, An Inspirational Fundraising Speech for a Nonprofit Organization, 4 Examples of Good Writing From Professional Writers, 8 Essential Traits of a Poet's Personality, Freelance Writing Pay Rates for Newspapers and Magazines, 10 Things You Need to Know About Writing for Reader's Digest, Is Your Writing Good Enough? Yes, okay, Im guilty of writing it: We head back to the beach to finish up yet another novel. Write out acronyms on first reference, whether its personal protective equipment (PPE) or key performance indicators (KPI). It may require more than a few words, but your readers will now see what you mean. Great piece! That can be magnificent or stunning, words that imply a more expansive, grand beauty. How many of these missteps are you guilty of? As a writer, Im more concerned with telling a story and taking characters and readers on a journey than I am with monitoring how many times I use certain words. When you preface a statement with I think or I believe, it creates doubt in the readers mind. In most cases, you can drop them without changing the meaning of the sentence. You can identify them a couple of ways. Some writing teachers say that adjectives are wholly unnecessary, while others advise writers to use sparingly. Given the subject matter, perhaps you or another of your readers might offer up a suggestion? : ). But in the writing game, youre definitely losing points over originality. As to the adjective, when in doubt, strike it out. ~ Mark Twain. Absolutely is used to add weight to an adjective. However, when you are using it everywhere, all the time, that can be too much. I still read and hear many people talk about flushing something out in ways that has nothing to do with toilet paper or dead goldfish. Dont assume you know the meaning, the context, the spelling, etc. When used as a slur or a self-appointed label by white people, it can feel uncomfortable privilege affords them the irony. I would love to read On Writing and Smile When Youre Lying, Im sure I could learn a lot from those. In the third, the degree word quite weakened the impact of the sentence, so we simply removed it. The clich better late than never is over-used and boring? With over 170,000 words at your disposal, there should always be an option thats both apt and original. They can persuade. If you mean work together, collaborate effectively, or cooperate, Interestingly, those three phrases often come from brands wanting to elevate their importance. Also, the team must get out of conflict situations correctly. Great list! There was silence. I am sick of reading Digital Nomad or anything Nomad really. The best way to let readers know your words are accurate? But can the game change that often? The same goes for to be honest and its amplified version, to be brutally honest. If you loved a piece of art, try describing it. For example, not everyone will understand sporting clichs, and linguistically diverse audiences may miss key information among idioms, metaphors, and jargon. Writing in a fluent, current and original way isnt an easy task. So, so used in so sorry , etc should be punishable by major fine and/or imprisonment. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this. Lets get together soon to chat about it. Instead of overusing innovative, try to pitch your product or program in a more persuasive way. Ive used it before on this blog: My favourite places are tiny Paiand quaint Popayan, sleepy Kampot and relaxed Mendoza. Whoops. Could you or someone else reading my post offer up any alternatives? But if youre looking for a general descriptor or superlative, why not go for more subtle-yet-reliable words? Use these sparingly/creatively and youll probably be okay. Yup, beautiful is definitely up there for me. and I am guilty as charged of 90% of these. It would certainly be appreciated. Plain language makes content cognitively accessible to a wider audience! They merely express the writers opinion of its value. These are all words that indicate the quality of something. An adverb helps describe the action, and can often be unnecessary (see? Compiling this list has certainly opened my eyes to my own weak writing habits. How many get on your nerves? Giving it your all or going over and above is what is really meant here. Try removing itand if the meaning has not changed, simply delete it. Brenna Holeman has travelled to over 100 countries in the past 15 years, many of them solo. You knew the words, so you never bothered to look them up. Follow that advice for your non-pandemic verbiage too. But it goes deeper than that. 2022 Acrolinx GmbH. Cant. Content is an integral part of marketing, not a sovereign in and of itself. How many photos of laptops can I fit in this post? where can I find alternatives? Have you noticed an author (or yourself) overusing words? He brought his fingers back up to her clitoris, rubbing his fingers over it, inexorably increasing the speed and the pressure. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Make it your goal to overcome word fatigue now and in the future. I HATE the expression must-see. Or they can convey nothing. Take chances. For example, some of these overused words could be very, always, By swapping them for stronger, more precise terms, your writing will be more engaging and effective. ), Piet van Lier smartly points out a recent popular hashtag #InThisTogether. so many great tips. (Woops!). #CMWorld #writingtips, Get Rid of These 25 Phrases and Words From Your Content, Get an A for Accuracy With This Fact-Checking Content Checklist, You probably dont need to write about living in unprecedented times. Just get to your point, says @AnnGynn via @cmicontent. 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