Do you remove all these words from your book or article?

HappyLady Level 1

November 7, 2018, 6:12 pm

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Do you remove all these words from your book or article?

Here is a link to 43 words you should avoid. Most of us will have a few that creep in like a bad habit. How many knew they should be avoided or try to remove them from the finished work?

https://dianaurban.com/words-you-should-cut-from-your-writing-immediately

I really get very sick and tired of removing just, just because it should be taken out. Really it should but I am so very prone to writing really. just and very.

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emiaj55

emiaj55

I checked out the link and actually I find myself thinking. There were a lot in list that I actually do out of habit. Well there were a few that I would still keep but there are a lot of points that I would try to put into practice. This helps. Thank you for sharing.

6 years ago

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HappyLady

HappyLady

I find the list useful as it helps me to cut down on editing time because I no longer have to search those words out and delete and alter things. This does not help me if I write without thinking, however. We use these words a lot as we speak.

6 years ago

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menchuuy58

menchuuy58

Thank you so much for your tip. I will also try my best to follow your suggestions. Thanks for your concern to teach us to be at our best in writing.

6 years ago

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theresajane

theresajane

Same with me, I also found words that I use out of habit. It's actually hard to slash them out of your usual vocabulary. But, knowing that I should change for improvement, I should probably consider removing them in formal writings.

6 years ago

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katarinamurtin

katarinamurtin

Yes. I use most of the words from that list! Help! And i thought I am good at writing *sad face* I will try to avoid them from now on. Author, thanks for sharing the list!

6 years ago

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jeffreyjose48

jeffreyjose48

I have just seen the lists of those words. I hope I could do what is written there. I will try my best to remove those listed words in my writings.

6 years ago

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iambeth

iambeth

Thanks for sharing this. I had no idea there are so many words that should be deleted. I will print a copy of this link to always be reminded of these words.

6 years ago

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edencaga

edencaga

I have to admit that I'm guilty of using those words on the list in a wrong way. This article probably help a lot of us to be aware and careful in using those words to improve writings skills.

6 years ago

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amelia88

amelia88

I think that’s one of the great things about being a writer - we’re always learning, growing, and developing. Our writing styles don’t stay the same, and that’s wonderful. It’s something we can always work to improve.

6 years ago

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menchuuy58

menchuuy58

I agree with you. Writers need to grow and develop their writing skills. It should always improve.

6 years ago

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emiaj55

emiaj55

It proves to be so hard though. It really takes practice to break the habit. Especially if you are not consciously aware that you have that habit. I still have my "ings" and "inings".

6 years ago

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edencaga

edencaga

True. We don't only stuck in one place and we're always trying to learn new ways to improve the knowledge about writing. It may be hard for us to ignore those words at first but as we explore and study more to improve our writing, there's no possibility that we can master it without using words that are not necessary.

6 years ago

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jeffreyjose48

jeffreyjose48

I agree with you. I am thankful also for this tips. This will help me become a better writer.

6 years ago

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Jeane

Jeane

Interesting article that.

There are many words on that list which I frequently use when I write anything that isn't fiction. In future I'll use some of those words less but there others which I won't stop using. For anything that isn't too formal, it is OK to use words like really, just and then.

Replace then with and? Obviously not all the time!

Thanks for sharing!

6 years ago

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HappyLady

HappyLady

No, I am sure when all of the words mentined have their place, but it is as well to know how they are viewed by publishers. My aim is to know enough that what I write for publication is as good as anything a publisher would pick up. Apparently, they have an eagle eye for these words so a lot of them might result in falling onto the rejection pile.

6 years ago

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burgosmichael24

burgosmichael24

You are right. I find the link helpful and very useful. It will improve your vocabulary and level up your skills in writing. However, eliminating and deleting those words are not the right way to improve your skills. You can minimize the use of those words but not to delete it.

6 years ago

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focusedwriter10

focusedwriter10

The writer of that article is well informed.

Most words on that list can be replaced with others, especially when combined with other words. Also, some of the words are forceful and should be avoided. For example, instead of very small, you just use insignificant among others.

On my part, I mostly delete most words on that list. However, it depends on the article I am writing, and the structure of sentences.

6 years ago

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HappyLady

HappyLady

Yes. I agree the writer of the list is well informed. I don't think it is the first time I have come accross her and I have had that list for some time now. The art is to find the word that works best in the sentence and makes it work.

6 years ago

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jaymish3

jaymish3

I agree, very interesting discussion. They are many words that I use that in a sense are useless. They add no real meaning to a sentence. However I think that because you are trying to express speech, to stress a point, I think that it is necessary to add them. When you are writing you are trying to express emotion. Words like really e.tc. help to express emotion. I think that this article is very important when you need to write n proper English.

6 years ago

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HappyLady

HappyLady

The one place I would use some of those words is when making a character speak. This is because I want the character to appear natural.

6 years ago

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mdayrit

mdayrit

Totally have the same thoughts here. If you want the character or the content to sound like a casual one, it is unavoidable to use the words mentioned in the link. However, if it is more of creative writing and doing stories or novels, it appears more deep and creative if you follow the tips written in the link.

6 years ago

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astraherondale

astraherondale

I have been trying to trim some of the words listed, especially really and just. However, I'm having a difficult time trying to avoid using the others. I definitely agree though that these words are unnecessary and hinder the smooth flow of words. I guess I have to further expand my vocabulary!

6 years ago

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HappyLady

HappyLady

You would not believe how many times I find "just" in a first draft. I sometimes experiment and take all the words in the list out and work from there. It doesn't mean a lot of what I write is devoid of every one of those words. Writing is a learning curve and we get better as we learn over the years.

6 years ago

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jayjaydimson

jayjaydimson

Thank you for sharing this one to us, I will consider it in the near future. I hope to learn more a lot from this forum.

6 years ago

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Youngshark

Youngshark

Thanks for the share @happylady. This is why I value this platform so much as the room for knowledge is immense and you get to know the things that could help you with your content in future.

6 years ago

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theresajane

theresajane

I knew deep inside that I have I remove some words whenever I write an article, but I didn't want to confirm it as I felt like I would ruin what I had written. This is actually helpful and this made me think again if retaining those words in my articles would be better or not.

6 years ago

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stbrians

stbrians

Sometimes the words just come and we find ourselves using them. It is high time that I should begin removing them.

6 years ago

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esteban123

esteban123

I have tried to visit the link and I found some words that I mostly uses in some of my writing and forum posting. I had never knew that those words should be deleted. Thanks for giving us such an informative article and I would try my best to delete those unnecessary words so that my writings would become more attractive.

6 years ago

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jaybee19

jaybee19

I'm so happy to check out the link because all of the words listed in there are totally the same words that I always use with my write ups even if they aren't needed. Thanks for this information ma'am HappyLady. It's very informative and helpful especially for newbie writers like me.

6 years ago

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burgosmichael24

burgosmichael24

I have seen the list and find it both useful and interesting. Sometimes when I am writing something, I use synonyms of some words to avoid repetition. I am an amateur in writing and has a long way to go to be on that level. However, I was excited to see my work on another level.

6 years ago

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Kakashi2020

Kakashi2020

I don't see any problem with those words, if it is used in context. The only problem I can see is, if it's used incorrectly or out of context.

There's another post that I've comment in earlier which also has a list of words which shouldn't be used, and if I have to believe all the lists I see all over the net, then my vocabulary would be quite limited.

6 years ago

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Corzhens

Corzhens

Pardon me for saying this that next time I hope you will copy and paste the list of words because it is not very long anyway. I don't have the habit of clicking on links just like I don't watch videos. If you can post the list then why post the link as if you are trying to get traffic into that site. With those words that I didn't see, it makes me wonder why you have to delete those words which I assume are legitimate words and not really obscene.

6 years ago

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HappyLady

HappyLady

I would not copy and paste as that is plagiarism. The correct way to do things is to link to them. It is important to know this. I could, of course, have made my own list, but do not think that would have been as helpful as the article gave information that helped to explain things.

6 years ago

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mdayrit

mdayrit

Guilty of using the words in that article. Although I do not see anything wrong using it. Use it when it fits. If there are other words that you can replace it then replace it. I some times use the "synonym" function of MS Word to find another word to use if I think that I am flooding the content with the same words.

6 years ago

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jayjaydimson

jayjaydimson

Yes, I agree with you, if the word that you used to write an article is good then you don't need to remove it.

6 years ago

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mdayrit

mdayrit

I think readers will understand the article better if the words used are the same as how you casually say them.

6 years ago

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theresajane

theresajane

You have a great point. It's great to stay with your style of writing, but always make sure that they make sense.

6 years ago

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rlkyle

rlkyle

The subject of proper word usage is a legitimate concern. The danger I see here, however, is the ease with which this approach of allowing some consensus to determine which words to keep or not can very easily degenerate into a form of group-think. Regardless of genre, every writer possesses a unique perspective, literary approach, and worldview. To subjugate oneself to the "group" is to voluntarily surrender a potentially vital piece of the very message you wish to convey. In my view, a better way to approach the issue of word choice is to think of your words as tangibles. For instance, one could use the theme of a blacksmith. In this process, the elements would each be represented by an imaginary component. The overall subject might be allegorized as the 'anvil'. The words the craftsman chooses then would represent the steel taking shape, and the fiery 'forge', the stoked imagination, providing the heat and passion to hammer out the final product. The more tools the wordsmith has hanging on the walls of the shop, these being, of course, the vocabulary, the more skill required to wield them. Once mastered though, this full and diverse toolset may be put to work building everything from the simplest, most straightforward child's book, to the most elaborate and precise scientific journal, with equal quality. Just as the blacksmith masters the tools to pound out a sturdy plow for feeding the community, or a high tempered implement of war to ensure its safety, the wordsmith must master the elements and architecture of words, sentences, paragraphs, and thoughts to accomplish comparable feats in the literary arena. My suggestion is now and has always been, to be an aspiring writer, is to first be a ravenous reader. As steel sharpens steel, so too does exposure to different styles and approaches sharpen imagination, and spark passion in the writer. Spend as much time reading as you do writing and watch your skills blossom!

6 years ago

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HappyLady

HappyLady

What you say has value, but don't forget most people, including the ones posting here are on a journey where they are learning to be the blacksmith. The use of any of these words in fiction could be of value as then you may be creating a pattern. However, most people are not at that stage. I make a lot of use of repetition in my fiction and poetry for a reason and that could be deemed poor writing, but I do it for effect. First you have to learn to use the tool before you carve the masterpiece. Reading, as you say, is key.

That said, any editor would reject an article full of the words "just" and "really."

6 years ago

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hstinscdln

hstinscdln

Reading those words made me smile because I am guilty of using those words. I know that avoiding those would actually lead to a better output. However, I believe that you will develop it through time. Just write according to your preferences for now and change it slowly as you notice what words you should use.

6 years ago

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jpk0007

jpk0007

Well, I did go through the article and read all the words that are mentioned there in the article. I have been using all those words in my writing in the past and I use them even now. I agree with most of the points made in the article but I feel that some of the words mentioned there are necessary and I don't think that there is anything wrong in using them when required.

6 years ago

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cmoneyspinner

cmoneyspinner

I have my own writing style. But I do follow writing advice that's good. It's foolish to ignore good advice regarding anything you do. I write so that my words can be understood. I only remove words if they don't contribute to the reader's understanding. Interesting link you shared. I put my name on the mailing list to receive updates.

6 years ago

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ajahcuizon

ajahcuizon

I agree. I am trying my best to deliver the information to my readers direct to the point. As long as the words that I used are understandable by the readers and doesn't need some additional words to be understood, I will refrain from using the words listed on the link.

6 years ago

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superlicca

superlicca

I am not aware that these words should be removed from writing. I always use those words and I also don't see anything wrong. Maybe some words are not helpful. But I still have the respect to the writer who created this article.

6 years ago

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MomoStarr16

MomoStarr16

I have a lot of word to be remove according to that link. But I will stay on what I am used to. As long as it works for me I will do what I am prefer.

6 years ago

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stormbreaker10

stormbreaker10

Thank you for this impormative link. Im smile while imagine using it in my blog posting, etc.

6 years ago

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Kakashi2020

Kakashi2020

Modifiers or Extenders as I call it are used by writers to lengthen sentences. It's always optional to use modifiers. There's a correct and incorrect way of using the words discussed in the blogsite link you've provided.

6 years ago

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knnon

knnon

Come to think of it I use "just" and "very" quite a lot myself. I tend to use "actually" as well in some cases. It's hard to omit those words because I think we subconsciously use words we are comfortable in using on daily conversations. And as they say, old habits die hard. Thank you for the link it's very useful and I've saved it for future reference.

6 years ago

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ajahcuizon

ajahcuizon

Thank you for providing this information. I do not know that there are so many common words that I should not use in my writings. Although it is suggested not to use those words, I believe that we still have the choice whether we would still want to use those words or not. Besides, it can help our content to be more friendly and easily understood by most of the people.

6 years ago

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Bravosi

Bravosi

Hi there!
Thanks for sharing that link. I'm quite surprised, because I usually use 40-50% of those words. Now I might develop a habit opening this link of yours while writing something, haha!

6 years ago

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gutzman

gutzman

I didn't know that those words should be removed on an article or book. Thank you for sharing this. It's kind of hard though to change even though I already know it. Getting rid of the things you are used to is very difficult. It takes away the momentum while you are writing.

6 years ago

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