Over used words...

lovecraft68 said:

Sigh.

Guilty. I use it to describe a woman's chest size rather than a cup size.

Click to expand...

SandraMustard said:

Really? Is there really no one else who recognizes what the OP really asked about? Listing a word that appears once in every story is perhaps a favorite but not really over used now, is it? I think this discussion should really be limited to words we use so often, we really don't even see that we used it. It's really a blessing that I don't have that problem.

Click to expand...

LettersFromTatyana said:

The OP asked about overused words, but then proceeded to use what I consider tired and overused figures of speech as examples. Kind of the same thing, but kind of not.

It's understandable that this has caused some confusion.

Click to expand...

TxRad said:

Oh, really?

Click to expand...

Avoid the use of very, really, finally, actually, suddenly and literally
These words are not necessary; they are redundant. Part of my aversion stems from a high school English teacher who despised the word "very," and when you think about it, with good reason. It's a crutch, allowing you to avoid using better words. But you're a writer -- stretch out, if only to get the thesaurus.

If something is "very important," it is "vital." (better word)
If something is "very sad," it is "tragic." (or perhaps, sorrowful)
If something is "very big," it is "huge."

The same goes for really, finally, etc. Be decisive. If something costs a lot of money, it is expensive. "Really expensive" adds nothing to the description. If you need more than "expensive," find another word, don’t just add these weak qualifiers.

If you have a character who has been waiting for something, you don't need "finally" to tell the reader it's happened. We know -- we've been following as the character as they have waited, and so once the action occurs, we know it's "finally" occurred.

"Literally" is another weak addition (worse is: quite literally). If something happens, say so -- again, be decisive and sure in your writing.

Click to expand...

Nice point, PennLady.

In my book, the same holds true going the other way with wussy equivocations like slightly, lightly, almost, mostly, rather, and nearly.

Folks, the love of your life doesn't have "almost perfect blue eyes." S/he has "perfect blue eyes." The same goes for his "rather deep voice" or her "nearly flawless legs."

Writing is our chance to be bold, gang. Lose the weasel words.

Click to expand...

Lia Monde said:

A little off topic: perhaps a sign of the times, but "political scandal" is annoying me. Not just the frequency of these affairs, but the fact that the overused description implies a sort of free pass. As though, the egregious activity is only a violation of political concerns, rather than a hypocritical ethical failure.

Click to expand...

DustOnDaBotl said:

Over used words are bad, but over used lines are even worse. The one that really urks me is "that being said". I guess it makes a person sound like an intellectual.

Click to expand...

green117 said:

Please, dear God, let "ample" as a description die a cold and lonely death.

Click to expand...

nakdsub said:

Do any of you have a word or words that just makes you cringe because it seems to be used over and over and over?

I have two...(awakening) "His awakening," "Her awakening," "The awakening," "Their awakening." This word seems to be in at least 70% of every title known to man.

The other...(betrayed) "her body betrayed her," his cock betrayed him,"...Eeek, sometimes I want to scream.

Any others?

Click to expand...

JAMESBJOHNSON said:

AND and THAT are the words I avoid. Plus all the static auxillary verbs. Getting rid of THAT eliminates most auxillary verbs.

Click to expand...

AirRichard101 said:

Every story I write has many instances of cock and pussy.

Click to expand...

Tio_Narratore said:

Since Jim isn't using "and" or "that," they're available for you to use. Why not let "and" replace "cock" and "that" replace "pussy" every now and again to inject a little variety into your writing?

Click to expand...

SweetMaj said:

Your swollen "and" in my wet "that"

Click to expand...

JAMESBJOHNSON said:

No TIO, yuh got it wrong. Its 'THIS' 'AND' 'THAT'. Plus 'THE OTHER' if the subject nouns ends in consonants.

Click to expand...

Tio_Narratore said:

I thought you were using "this," so I didn't recommend that Richard use that "this' or even "the other." But if you're not busy with them, then Richard can use them or those for this and that or even the other.

What Maj does with them is up to her; she's a respomsible adult and can do what ever she wants with this and that, and even do the other, if she really wants to.

Click to expand...

SweetMaj said:

I do.

Click to expand...