Now

[sr71plt]

I agree with others on these threads that "that" is generally overused (although sometimes it is omitted when it would be helpful). In going over an e-book today for expansion and reissue, I noticed (once again) that I use "now" too often as well and that it usually could just be dropped without affecting the meaning of the passage.

 

[lovecraft68]

Hmmm another one to add to my "kill list"

That., almost (most of the time) actually, literally.....

 

[PennLady]

I long ago started eliminating certain words and phrases from non-dialogue writing, because I used them too much and they were repetitive to boot. My top ones are:

literally
actually
slowly
quickly
seems/ed to be
appears/ed to be
almost
nearly

"Now" is another word that I tend to take out on a re-read, especially if it's not in dialogue, but I don't think it's one I overuse. I don't think.

 

[lovecraft68]

I long ago started eliminating certain words and phrases from non-dialogue writing, because I used them too much and they were repetitive to boot. My top ones are:

literally
actually
slowly
quickly
seems/ed to be
appears/ed to be
almost
nearly

"Now" is another word that I tend to take out on a re-read, especially if it's not in dialogue, but I don't think it's one I overuse. I don't think.

Slowly and quickly I'm still having a hard time with

I'm working on "began" and started" as in "He began licking my pussy" to "He licked my pussy......slowly dammit! Slowly!!

Also is another one.

 

[robertreams]

That is my #1 pet peeve as an English teacher I sometimes received four page papers with over one hundred 'that's. Finally I made it my policy not to accept any paper using the word unless and until the student could punctuate and understand the passage from, "Flowers For Algernon"

That that is is that that is not is not is that that that is it is