OVERUSED WORDS AND WHAT TO USE INSTEAD

What is overused words?

 "Overused words" refers to words that appear excessively in writing or speech, diminishing the impact and clarity of the communication. Here's a breakdown:

What they are:

• Common words: These are often basic words that are easy to use, leading to frequent repetition. Examples include "very," "good," "nice," "things," and "really."
• Filler words: These words add little to no meaning to sentences and often serve as verbal pauses. Examples include "like," "just," and "basically."
• Clichés: These are phrases or expressions that have become stale through overuse, losing their original impact. Examples include "at the end of the day" and "think outside the box."

Why they're a problem:

• Monotony: Repeated use of the same words makes writing or speech sound dull and repetitive.
• Lack of precision: Overused words often have vague meanings, hindering clear communication.
• Weakened impact: Frequent use of intensifiers like "very" dilutes their effectiveness.
• Lack of originality: Relying on clichés and overused phrases makes communication sound uninspired.

The goal:

The aim is not to eliminate these words entirely, but to use them judiciously and to expand vocabulary to include more precise and impactful alternatives.

In essence, overused words create a sort of linguistic "noise" that can obscure the message being conveyed.

Overused words, the linguistic equivalent of well-worn clichés, can sap the vitality from even the most compelling writing. Quick-reference style guide to overused words and their alternatives:

General Fillers/Weakness:

·         "Very":

o    Instead: "extremely," "highly," or replace with a stronger adjective (e.g., "very happy" -> "ecstatic").

·         "Just":

o    Instead: Often remove entirely, or use "simply," "merely."

·         "Really":

o    Instead: "truly," "genuinely," or replace with a stronger adverb.

·         "Like" (filler):

o    Instead: Remove or restructure the sentence.

·         "Basically":

o    Instead: "essentially," "fundamentally," "primarily."

·         "Actually":

o    Instead: Often remove or use "in fact."

·         "Totally":

o    Instead: "completely", "entirely", or remove.

Vague Nouns/Pronouns:

·         "Things":

o    Instead: Specific nouns (e.g., "events," "items," "aspects").

·         "Stuff":

o    Instead: Specific nouns.

Common Adjectives/Adverbs:

·         "Good":

o    Instead: "excellent," "effective," "beneficial," "satisfactory."

·         "Bad":

o    Instead: "negative," "harmful," "ineffective," "unpleasant."

·         "Nice":

o    Instead: "pleasant," "agreeable," "charming," "kind."

·         "Important":

o    Instead: "crucial," "essential," "significant," "vital."

·         "A lot":

o    Instead: "numerous," "many," "substantial," or quantify.

·         "Suddenly":

o    Instead: "abruptly," "instantly," "unexpectedly."

·         "Carefully":

o    Instead: "meticulously," "deliberately," "precisely."

·         "Amazing/Awesome/Great":

o    Instead: "remarkable," "astounding," "spectacular," "magnificent."

Weak Verbs:

·         "To be" (is, are, was, were):

o    Instead: Use stronger, active verbs.

·         "To have":

o    Instead: "possess," "own," "contain."

·         "To go":

o    Instead: "proceed," "travel," "move," "depart."

·         "To say":

o    Instead: "declare," "assert," "mutter," "exclaim," "whisper."

·         "To make":

o    Instead: "create," "produce," "construct," "generate."

·         "Get":

o    Instead: "obtain," "acquire," "receive," "understand," "become."

Clichés/Stock Phrases:

·         "At the end of the day":

o    Instead: Often remove.

·         "It goes without saying":

o    Instead: Remove.

·         "Think outside the box":

o    Instead: Use more original phrasing.

·         "In this day and age":

o    Instead: Remove or use more specific phrasing.

·         "Needless to say":

o    Instead: remove.

·         "With that being said":

o    Instead: use a stronger transition.

Key Takeaways:

·         Specificity is your friend. Replace vague words with precise ones.

·         Active voice is powerful. Minimize use of "to be" verbs.

·         Show, don't just tell. Use vivid descriptions and sensory details.

·         Edit ruthlessly. Eliminate filler words and redundant phrases.

·         Vary your vocabulary. Use a thesaurus (judiciously) to expand your word choices.

Source: www.grammarcheck.net