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Post by Silva on Jun 2, 2011 7:27:48 GMT -5
We all (well, at least most, I'm sure) have a tendency to use some of the same words too many times in one novel draft, story, poem, etc.
For me, it's the word 'wonder' and its variants. I write 'so-and-so character wondered' so often I should be punished. It's one of my goals to eliminate it from my writing almost entirely.
What words do you overuse?
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Post by Olive on Jun 2, 2011 7:52:17 GMT -5
I can't think off the top of my head... maybe "notion?" I like that word.
Although, I did get yelled at by a peer for using "eventually" 5 times in a 10 page piece of fiction. So maybe that counts? In general, though, her comments on my papers were useless... she also yelled at me for using the passive voice... when that was the entire point, at that moment. Sheesh.
If ellipsis count as words, then that's my final answer.
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Epif
Armadillo Pup
Count the shadows...
Posts: 31
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Post by Epif on Jun 2, 2011 8:26:27 GMT -5
"Not" and "was" are perhaps the top two not-needed words that I use a lot.
As in, instead of saying "He was very confused and understood little," I'll write, "He didn't understand and was very confused."
It's been a persistent problem for me for a very long time...
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Post by tastyink on Jun 2, 2011 8:45:15 GMT -5
I say intense a lot. It's my favorite word to describe everything.
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Post by Dodger Thirteen on Jun 2, 2011 11:03:50 GMT -5
Plethora.
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alyoshka
Young Armadillo
Vous etes un chanteur des pommes.
Posts: 94
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Post by alyoshka on Jun 2, 2011 14:19:36 GMT -5
I work hard not to overuse that word. |
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Post by mrodigga on Jun 3, 2011 10:29:28 GMT -5
I'm my academic writing, I use "thus" and "therefore" all the time. I think I only introduced "thus" into my writing to avoid overusing "therefore". And though it isn't a word, I find I often use the semi-colon like a punk band uses power-chords.
Edit: I realized today that I also use "magnificent" and "glorious" a lot to describe favorable outcomes of situations.
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Post by pjthefey on Jun 7, 2011 20:18:15 GMT -5
Hmmmmm.... Interesting question... I know I have some pet words, but actually recognizing them before they are written could be a challenge. I think vibrant is a common descriptive word for me. I also tend to use imposed, conviction, and powerful a lot.
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Post by Eternal Lobster on Jun 7, 2011 20:46:27 GMT -5
I haven't written anything since finals, so I don't remember which words I overuse, but I do notice them while I write. Online, I've noticed that I say "oh my god" all the time ): I hate noticing phrases/words that I overuse because then I wonder if everyone else has noticed.
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Post by Fuck Yeah Dion on Jun 7, 2011 21:58:20 GMT -5
I say "quickly" a lot.
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Katherine
Armadillo Pup
From the moment you begin breathing you start dying too.
Posts: 44
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Post by Katherine on Jun 7, 2011 22:34:42 GMT -5
I use a lot of adverbs, and ever since reading Stephen King's "On Writing" I've been trying to eliminate them. It's going reasonably well, so far, but there's some that still slip in.
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Post by Walt Whitman on Jun 7, 2011 22:50:54 GMT -5
I
me
myself
we
you
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Umbvix
Young Armadillo
SCHLURP :B
Posts: 64
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Post by Umbvix on Jun 8, 2011 15:41:42 GMT -5
I overuse "slightly". I have to proofread to make sure I don't abuse the word.
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Post by andreaisabbbw on Jun 9, 2011 15:15:56 GMT -5
Gratuitous.
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Post by holocene on Aug 3, 2011 16:32:09 GMT -5
suggest, implies, despite
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