Over-used, Non-descriptive Words
The following list of words contains the type of words that we see and use everyday. These words are the kind of words that can be categorized into several different types and therefore, when used to describe, these words are not specific enough and are too basic for advanced writing. They are boring.
Use a thesaurus, if you must, and find the perfect word. Just be sure that you know the definition of any new words before you use them!
Old
Ugly
Pretty
Beautiful
Big
Large
Small
Sad
Happy
Mad
Bad
Nice
Funny
Interesting
Here is an example using the word "old." I simply used an online thesaurus
Old
as in old person: elderly, decrepit
as in age-old: ancient, historic
as in old-fashioned: antique, outdated, obsolete
as in in the past: former
Extreme Words: Very, So, Extremely, Really, Quite
Although words such as "very," "so," "really," "quite," and "extremely" seem to add a punch to writing, they actually mean that you need to reconsider your choice of vocabulary. If you use "very" or any of the words above in front of an adjective, your adjective lacks enough of the quality you wish to express. Omit the extreme words and find a better, more expressive adjective.
EXAMPLE: I was very mad at my little brother when he wrote in my favorite book.
Changes into,
I was furious when my little brother wrote in my favorite book.
Even if you use a great adjective, such as "furious" to begin with, do not add any extreme words. If you mean more than furious, find a word that defines an even higher level of anger such as irate or livid. Generally, AVOID EXTREME WORDS AT ALL COSTS.
Problematic Words and Phrases
Who vs. That vs. Which
Who=refers to a human being
That=refers to an object or animal
Which=refers to an object or animal as an aside.
example)There are two stores: that store, which is located on Elm Street, is in a shopping plaza. At that particular store, I met a lovely sales clerk, who helped me choose an evening outfit.
Set vs. Sit
To set=to put
To sit=to rest at a ninety degree angle
example)I set my work down and allowed myself to sit down for the first time all day.
Lie vs. Lay
Lie=refers to resting
Lay=refers to putting
example)I lie , or rest, on the bed. Then, I lay, or place, my book next to me.
"Supposed to" and "Used to"
When saying that something should have happened, write that it was "supposed to" happen, not "suppose to" happen. Because the word "suppose" is a verb, do not drop the "d" when speaking in past tense. "Used to" follows the same idea: "use to" does not make any sense without the "d" at the end of "use."
"Anyway" and "Toward"
Believe it or not "anyways," with an "s" at the end, is not a word. If you must use "anyway" do not add the "s." If you can, just avoid the word in formal writing.
"Towards" is not a word either. Feel free to use "toward," however.
Hopefully.
Often, writing features the word "hopefully" as a replacement for "I hope." For example,
Hopefully, I will go to the circus. means the same as
I hope I will go to the circus.
The correct usage of "hopefully" occurs when "hopefully" can be replaced by "full of hope." For example,
She looked up hopefully. means the same as
She looked up full of hope.
Homophones
Their vs. There vs. They're
Their=possession.
There=place.
They're=contraction for "they are."
Their stuff is somewhere around here. I am not sure if it is here or there. They're such slobs.
To vs. Too vs. Two
To=preposition.
Too=also.
Two=number.
I go to the market to buy two dozen eggs. I purchase a loaf of bread, too.
This example without "to," "two," or "too" conveys the same meaning.
I visit the market for the purpose of buying a couple dozen eggs. I will purhase a loaf of bread, also.
Affect vs. Effect
To affect=to influence.
An effect=a result or, as a verb, to create.
The effect, or the result, of the stock market crash affected, or influenced, the American lifestyle in the 1930's.
Accept vs. Except
To accept=to acquiese or to receive willingly
To except=to exclude.
Except the fact that I accepted a low offer for the house, I am glad that I finally sold the house.
Your vs. You're
Your=possessive.
You're=contraction for "you are."
Your backpack is tidy. You're so organized.
Verses vs. Versus
Verses=stanzas of a song or poem
Versus= against.
The song has two verses and a chorus. This song versus the song I just mentioned contains more lines.
Visit the following webpage for more examples of misused words and phrases: Click here.
Two Rules of Thumb in Formal Writing
CONTRACTIONS
Contractions are words that combine two small words together with an apostrophe. Contractions include, "it's," "you're," "that's," "won't," and etc.
As a rule of thumb in formal writing, do not use contractions. Separate the words. "It's" becomes "it is," "won't" becomes "will not," and etc.
NUMBERS
Instead of writing "1" or "25" in formal writing, write out the entire number, as in "one" or "twenty five."
Once you get into numbers over one hundred, you should be able to write the actual numbers instead of spelling them out. For easy numbers such as simply "two hundred," "three hundred," "two thousand," etc. you may want to write out the number in words. Feel free to write years, such as 1953, 2008, 233 AD, etc. as numbers.
Transitions
After writing each paragraph, in which I know you effectively addressed each point of your argument, you must then form a cohesive body of writing. Although completely smooth transitions involve more than just a simple phrase or word, transition words will give you at least something with which to start.
Instead of mentioning the next paragraph at the end of a preceding paragraph or mentioning the preceding paragraph in the next paragraph, use transition words. In their most basic form, transition words run along the lines of "first," "second," and "third" attached accordingly to the start of a body paragraph. Often, writers preface the concluding paragraph with something similar to "in conclusion." Once you master using these simple transition words, find better ones and ignore that these basic words' exist! I beg of you.
Use this link to discover a great guide for examples of transition words. Click here,
This, That, These, Those
Feel free to use the words "this" "that" "these" and "those" as long as you specify which "that" "this" etc. about which you are talking.
EXAMPLE:
The writer employs a metaphor in describing the turtle. This emphasizes to the reader how slowly the turtle moves by providing an example with which the reader can connect.
This what? Be specific.
The writer employs a metaphor in describing the turtle. This use of figurative language emphasizes to the reader how slowly the turtle moves by providing an example with which the reader can connect.
The same idea applies to the word "it," or when speaking of humans, "he" "she" or "them." Be specific about the "it" to which you mean to refer. For example,
The boy and his father traveled across the country. He enjoyed the plane ride.
Which he do you mean to refer? The boy or his father?
The boy and his father traveled across the country. The boy enjoyed the plane ride.
Avoid Repetition
Repetition comes in a few different forms.
With adjectives, repetition occurs in implied meaning of words:
young child (a child is already young; you do not need to say that the child is young)
old elderly person
colossal giant
etc.
Repetition also occurs when you simply use a word too many times in a section of writing. BE SPECIFIC.
My mom's cake tastes good. When I eat it, I feel good. Eating cake is good.
Poor example, I know, but you get the picture.
Misplaced Commas
When reading writing, I often see commas in sentences where the writers thought they were necessary. However, the problem stems from a misunderstanding of compound sentences.
A compound sentence consists of two related, short, subordinate clauses that fit together as a sentence.
EXAMPLE:
I usually carry a Band-Aid with me. Today I needed it.
Transforms into: I always carry a Band-Aid with me, and today I needed it.
Note the comma before "and." The structure of a compound sentence consists of the two subordinate clauses separated by "comma + and" "comma + but" or "comma + or" (",and" ",but" ",or").
This sentence is not compound because the two parts separated by "and" are not independent. The second part is missing a subject, which, in this case, is "I."
I went downstairs and answered the telephone.
This sentence would be a compound sentence,
I went downstairs, and I answered the telephone.
Balance Between Specific Vocab and Wordiness
Make sure you use specific vocabulary. Allow me to explain: note the difference between "tastes good" and "face-pinchingly sour" or "cloyingly tangy." If you mean a specific sense, make that sense clear through your words. If you do not have a specific sense in mind, think about it, and come up with one.
At the same time, make sure that you do not use elevated vocabularly solely for the purpose of sounding smart. Make sure you know the denotation and connotation (definition versus usual conversational context); use the words properly. Otherwise, your sentences will not communicate what you intend.