Rumple Foreskin
The AH Patriarch
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2002
- Posts
- 11,109
St. Patrick's Day Greetings,
While looking for something else I came across a free, writing site called TAMERI http://www.tameri.com/index.html There’s nothing new, but the information was well-organized and I like their lists, so I’m passing along the link and posting one section.
Rumple Foreskin
Words and Phrases to Kill
When editing a manuscript, some words deserve to die — not always, but usually. (If you miss the humor of the last sentence, you won’t after reading this document.) The words and phrases below are among those most often abused.
· any infinitive (to walk)
· about
· all
· almost
· always
· anxiously
· eagerly
· every
· finally
· frequently
· just
· merely
· nearly
· need
· never
· not
· often
· only
· so
· that
· “the public”
· then
· very
Adverbs
When used as modifiers of verbs, adverbs are ambiguous. If “he quickly ran,” then just how fast did he run? Adverbs do not answer to what degree or extent, despite what grammarians might say.
Adverbs of time are overused. Writers litter manuscripts with words such as “finally” and “then” because people do so in speech.
“Not” and other adverbs of manner are easy for writers; better words or phrases can be found in most cases.
very - While “very” is intended to magnify a verb, adverb, or noun, it lacks precision. “Very” is seldom essential.
not - “Not” is an adverb meaning “in no manner” or “to no degree.” We discourage writers from using “not” and negative words formed using the prefixes “ir-” and “un-” when possible.
never / always - Absolutes either lock a writer into a position or give the appearance of conceit.
often / frequently - Individuals have unique opinions of what constitutes frequently or often. Such measures of time are matters of perspective.
almost / nearly - Approximations should be used sparingly. Use “almost” or “nearly” when a precise measurement is unrealistic in fiction or impossible.
anxiously / eagerly - “Anxiously” implies with anxiety and “eagerly” implies with anticipation. Both are weak adverbs that can be replaced by better describing a situation.
She waited anxiously.
She sat waiting, biting her lip and looking around the room.
only / merely - Condescending when used to describe a noun.
Weak Links
finally - When describing a series of events, the word “finally” indicates laziness on the part of the writer. “Finally” implies an exhaustion or distaste for the series.
then / next - When recounting events, “then” and “next” are weak transitions. Try eliminating “then” with specific references to time, location, or list characteristics.
As we drove down Main Street, we first saw Smallville Hardware. Then, across the street was Ma’s Kettle, a popular restaurant. Next, we saw a bar, the post office, and a barbershop. Finally we reached City Hall.
As we drove down Main Street, we first saw Smallville Hardware. Across the street was Ma's Kettle, a popular restaurant. Passing the next block, we saw a bar, the post office, and a barbershop. City Hall greeted us at the end of the street.
Adjectives
Writers must remember that adjectives are relative to a reader’s experiences. Describing a character as tall without specifying a height allows every reader to imagine a different measurement. Some writers prefer to allow audiences a lot of freedom, but doing so can be dangerous.
amazing / wonderful / etc - Avoid overstating how special a person, thing, or event is. Romance novels, in particular, overuse these words.
big / small, short / tall - Remember each reader has a unique perspective from which he or she views other people. Give precise descriptions of characters when possible.
all / every - “All” and “every” imply absolute quantities.
perfect - Nothing real is perfect.
Nouns
the public - The public seldom thinks or acts as a single unit.
need - There are few needs, but wants and desires are plentiful.
Prepositions
about - (adv) Use the phrase “went around” or a similar phrase that more clearly indicates a sense of direction. (prep) When used colloquially in the phrases “how about,” “what about,” and “not about to,” kill the phrase.
While looking for something else I came across a free, writing site called TAMERI http://www.tameri.com/index.html There’s nothing new, but the information was well-organized and I like their lists, so I’m passing along the link and posting one section.
Rumple Foreskin
Words and Phrases to Kill
When editing a manuscript, some words deserve to die — not always, but usually. (If you miss the humor of the last sentence, you won’t after reading this document.) The words and phrases below are among those most often abused.
· any infinitive (to walk)
· about
· all
· almost
· always
· anxiously
· eagerly
· every
· finally
· frequently
· just
· merely
· nearly
· need
· never
· not
· often
· only
· so
· that
· “the public”
· then
· very
Adverbs
When used as modifiers of verbs, adverbs are ambiguous. If “he quickly ran,” then just how fast did he run? Adverbs do not answer to what degree or extent, despite what grammarians might say.
Adverbs of time are overused. Writers litter manuscripts with words such as “finally” and “then” because people do so in speech.
“Not” and other adverbs of manner are easy for writers; better words or phrases can be found in most cases.
very - While “very” is intended to magnify a verb, adverb, or noun, it lacks precision. “Very” is seldom essential.
not - “Not” is an adverb meaning “in no manner” or “to no degree.” We discourage writers from using “not” and negative words formed using the prefixes “ir-” and “un-” when possible.
never / always - Absolutes either lock a writer into a position or give the appearance of conceit.
often / frequently - Individuals have unique opinions of what constitutes frequently or often. Such measures of time are matters of perspective.
almost / nearly - Approximations should be used sparingly. Use “almost” or “nearly” when a precise measurement is unrealistic in fiction or impossible.
anxiously / eagerly - “Anxiously” implies with anxiety and “eagerly” implies with anticipation. Both are weak adverbs that can be replaced by better describing a situation.
She waited anxiously.
She sat waiting, biting her lip and looking around the room.
only / merely - Condescending when used to describe a noun.
Weak Links
finally - When describing a series of events, the word “finally” indicates laziness on the part of the writer. “Finally” implies an exhaustion or distaste for the series.
then / next - When recounting events, “then” and “next” are weak transitions. Try eliminating “then” with specific references to time, location, or list characteristics.
As we drove down Main Street, we first saw Smallville Hardware. Then, across the street was Ma’s Kettle, a popular restaurant. Next, we saw a bar, the post office, and a barbershop. Finally we reached City Hall.
As we drove down Main Street, we first saw Smallville Hardware. Across the street was Ma's Kettle, a popular restaurant. Passing the next block, we saw a bar, the post office, and a barbershop. City Hall greeted us at the end of the street.
Adjectives
Writers must remember that adjectives are relative to a reader’s experiences. Describing a character as tall without specifying a height allows every reader to imagine a different measurement. Some writers prefer to allow audiences a lot of freedom, but doing so can be dangerous.
amazing / wonderful / etc - Avoid overstating how special a person, thing, or event is. Romance novels, in particular, overuse these words.
big / small, short / tall - Remember each reader has a unique perspective from which he or she views other people. Give precise descriptions of characters when possible.
all / every - “All” and “every” imply absolute quantities.
perfect - Nothing real is perfect.
Nouns
the public - The public seldom thinks or acts as a single unit.
need - There are few needs, but wants and desires are plentiful.
Prepositions
about - (adv) Use the phrase “went around” or a similar phrase that more clearly indicates a sense of direction. (prep) When used colloquially in the phrases “how about,” “what about,” and “not about to,” kill the phrase.
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