Better word for written

This list contains words of all sorts, useful in the sense that they can offer sound alternative word choices to complement the usual words used in most everyday writing. These words can better describe something or simply spruce up a text.

50 words

72 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

  1. complacency

    the feeling you have when you are satisfied with yourself

  2. trepidation

    a feeling of alarm or dread

  3. superfluous

    more than is needed, desired, or required

  4. tangential

    of superficial relevance if any

  5. obscurity

    the state of being indistinct due to lack of light

  6. dank

    unpleasantly cool and humid

  7. squalor

    sordid dirtiness

  8. destitute

    poor enough to need help from others

  9. staunch

    firm and dependable especially in loyalty

  10. steadfast

    marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable

  11. interrogate

    pose a series of questions to

  12. ostracize

    expel from a community or group

  13. blight

    any plant disease resulting in withering without rotting

  14. precarious

    not secure; beset with difficulties

  15. coiffure

    the arrangement of the hair

  16. xenophobia

    a fear of foreigners or strangers

  17. supple

    moving and bending with ease

  18. infallible

    incapable of failure or error

  19. surmount

    get on top of; deal with successfully

  20. disenfranchise

    deprive of voting rights

  21. disinterested

    unaffected by concern for one’s own welfare

  22. regardless

    in spite of everything

  23. odious

    extremely repulsive or unpleasant

  24. sanctimonious

    excessively or hypocritically pious

  25. immortality

    the state of eternal life

  26. ignominy

    a state of dishonor

  27. ubiquity

    the state of being everywhere at once

  28. clandestine

    conducted with or marked by hidden aims or methods

  29. chide

    scold or reprimand severely or angrily

  30. upbraid

    express criticism towards

  31. rebuke

    an act or expression of criticism and censure

  32. writ

    a legal document issued by a court or judicial officer

  33. dissolution

    separation into component parts

  34. august

    profoundly honored

  35. perfunctory

    hasty and without attention to detail; not thorough

  36. wan

    pale, as of a person’s complexion

  37. magnanimous

    noble and generous in spirit

  38. cumbersome

    difficult to handle or use because of size or weight

  39. ingrate

    a person who shows no thankfulness or appreciation

  40. seethe

    foam as if boiling

  41. malevolent

    wishing or appearing to wish evil to others

  42. demoniac

    someone who acts as if possessed by a demon

  43. insurgent

    in opposition to a civil authority or government

  44. bungle

    make a mess of, destroy, or ruin

  45. entrench

    fix firmly or securely

  46. nondescript

    lacking distinct or individual characteristics

  47. nonplus

    be a mystery or bewildering to

  48. fervent

    characterized by intense emotion

  49. impasse

    a situation in which no progress can be made

  50. nonchalant

    marked by casual unconcern or indifference

Created on October 14, 2013
(updated October 14, 2013)

If you know a good writer, you might be interested in finding a good word to describe them. Someone who writes well deserves to be complimented if you’re impressed by them. This article will explore some of the best words you can use to flatter them.

Best Words For A Person Exceptional At Writing

The preferred words are “wordsmith,” “articulate,” and “succinct.” Each word allows you to show that someone is able to write in a way that flows. It’s easy to understand what they’re trying to convey, which means that they’re a particularly effective writer in all situations.

Wordsmith

“Wordsmith” is the best way to compliment a writer. It shows that they have skills when using words. It’s a great way of showing that you can’t achieve the same level of detail or quality, but you’re always impressed with the wordsmiths that make it look easy.

The definition of “wordsmith,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “a person who has skill with using words, especially in writing.”

  • Paul is a wordsmith. If you ever need help coming up with a way to word something like this, he’s your guy. He’ll know what to write.
  • I like to think of myself as a wordsmith. I always enjoy writing short stories and such things whenever I get the chance to do so.
  • She’s quite a wordsmith. We’re always blown away by her talent. I really think you should give her a chance to see what she can do.

Articulate

“Articulate” is a great way of showing that a writer is able to express things with words alone. It can be particularly hard to convey thoughts and feelings in writing, so using “articulate” for a writer shows that they have this rare talent that helps you connect to their work.

The definition of “articulate,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “able to express thoughts and feelings easily and clearly, or showing this quality.”

  • He’s an articulate writer. You might not think much of him, but he’s certainly got a way with words that other people just don’t have.
  • You’re very articulate when it comes to this type of thing. I wish I had your talent with words! That would save me so many issues.
  • I think you’re a very articulate writer. Have you ever thought about taking this further and seeing what you might be able to do with it?

Succinct

“Succinct” shows that someone is able to write in a clear and concise way. It allows them to express everything they need to with very few words needed. They will only use words that are absolutely necessary to continue the narrative of their writing.

The definition of “succinct,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “said in a clear and short way; expressing what needs to be said without unnecessary words.”

  • Your writing style is so succinct. It’s easily one of the most interesting for me to read, and it feels like I can actually keep up with you.
  • I like how succinct you can be with these types of things. It really shows that you put a lot of care and effort into your writing.
  • I love his succinct style. Have you ever read one of his books? They’re well worth the read! You won’t regret it.

Lucid

“Lucid” is a solid choice if you’re trying to show that a writer can express their work in an understandable way. It works really well to show that you have a great time reading their work because of how clear and easy it is to follow.

The definition of “lucid,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “clearly expressed and easy to understand, or (of a person) thinking or speaking clearly.”

  • I’ve never known a writer to be as lucid as you are. You just find a way of capturing my imagination from the very first word.
  • She’s a lucid writer. You’ll easily understand what she’s trying to convey, and it feels like every single word is included for a good reason.
  • I like to think of myself as quite lucid when it comes to writing my books. I know what I want to get out of them, and I deliver that.

Eloquent

“Eloquent” usually relates to speaking, but you can also use it to show that someone is a fantastic writer. If someone writes eloquently, it means they are able to clearly and concisely convey the message and meaning that they’re trying to establish with their work.

The definition of “eloquent,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “giving a clear, strong message.”

  • You’re very eloquent for someone so young. If I didn’t know you, I would have thought this short story was written by a trained adult.
  • I love being eloquent because people always express how amazed they are by my writing talent. I want to get that from everyone.
  • You’re the most eloquent writer I’ve seen around here. You must send me some of your books to read sometime. I’d like that.

Fluent

“Fluent” is another word that generally refers to spoken English. People are fluent when they have a smooth flow in their language structure and choices. This can also apply to someone who is writing. Fluency comes when they write sentences in smooth and interesting ways.

The definition of “fluent,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “flowing in a smooth, attractive way.”

  • I’m a fluent writer because I’ve spent so many years trying to hone my craft. I think I’ve finally found my style, and that feels great.
  • I want to sound more fluent in my writing. My father is so good at creating stories, and I just want to sound a little more like him.
  • Dan is very fluent in his writing. I’d recommend reading some of his stories to learn more about what he’s got to say.

Literary Artisan

“Literary artisan” is a great way of showing that someone excels at writing. “Literary” is used as an adjective here to show that it relates to their writing skill. “Artisan” means that someone is skilled at a particular subject (in this case, writing).

The definition of “artisan,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “someone who does skilled work with their hands.”

  • It’s quite clear that you’re a literary artisan. I don’t think I’ve met anyone who was able to create stories in the same manner as you.
  • I’m a literary artisan. Don’t worry; I didn’t come up with that myself. My mom said it to me once, and it’s managed to stick with me.
  • I think you’re a literary artisan, and it would be foolish for you not to try and get these stories published for the rest of the world.

Literary Craftsman

“Literary craftsman” also uses “literary” as an adjective to help establish someone’s written skill. “Craftsman” is used here to show that someone is a brilliant writer because they’ve spent so much time trying to hone their skills in the craft.

The definition of “craftsman,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “a person who is skilled in a particular craft.”

  • She’s a literary craftsman, so it’s best to leave her to do her thing. I think you’ll be quite surprised by some of the things she can come out with.
  • I like being a literary craftsman. All of my friends are always shocked at the skill of my work, and I love that feeling more than anything.
  • You’re a literary craftsman, and it’s a crime that other people don’t get the chance to read your books. I want to publish them!

Clear

“Clear” might be a simple word to describe a good writer, but it’s effective. Many writers want nothing more than to be clear in the things they write. If they can write something and everyone can understand it, they’ll know that they’re a great writer.

The definition of “clear,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “easy to understand, hear, read, or see.”

  • Your writing is clear beyond belief. It’s so easy to follow along with the story, and it allows you to really connect with the characters.
  • I’m a clear writer, and I’ve spent a great deal of time trying to develop the skills that I’ve got to show off today.
  • I’m not as clear as I’d like to be, though a lot of people seem to really enjoy the things I’ve got to say in my work.

Shakespearean

“Shakespearean” generally relates to the works of William Shakespeare. You can also use it as an adjective to describe someone who seems to possess talents like his. It can be said about someone whose work impresses you beyond any normal writer’s work.

The definition of “Shakespearean,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “written by William Shakespeare, or relating to or typical of his work.”

  • I’ve been called Shakespearean in my time because of the way I allow words to flow on the page. I suppose that’s a compliment.
  • I like his books because he’s so Shakespearean in his delivery. I hope I can read more of his stuff going forward.
  • Sheila is the most Shakespearean writer out there right now. It’s like Shakespeare himself is living through her once again.

You may also like: 8 Words For Someone Who Is Good With Words

martin lassen dam grammarhow

Martin holds a Master’s degree in Finance and International Business. He has six years of experience in professional communication with clients, executives, and colleagues. Furthermore, he has teaching experience from Aarhus University. Martin has been featured as an expert in communication and teaching on Forbes and Shopify. Read more about Martin here.

What is another word for writing ability?

three Rs literacy
literateness reading ability
reading proficiency writing proficiency
ability to read and write articulacy
articulateness letters

Furthermore, What words are related to writing?

write

  • compose.
  • create.
  • note.
  • pen.
  • record.
  • rewrite.
  • scrawl.
  • sign.

Simply so How do you describe a writing style?

The style in writing can be defined as the way a writer writes. It is the technique that an individual author uses in his writing. It varies from author to author, and depends upon one’s syntax, word choice, and tone. It can also be described as a “voice” that readers listen to when they read the work of a writer.

Also, How do you describe a good writer? 4 Answers. There are phrases like “author extraordinaire” and “wordsmith extraordinaire” also. It depends what aspect of their writing was being praised. If it’s clarity, you might say articulate or lucid.

What is another word for good writing?

What is another word for well-written?

literate articulate
eloquent lucid
polished stylish
well written

What is a synonym for writer? synonyms for writer

  • author.
  • columnist.
  • correspondent.
  • critic.
  • dramatist.
  • novelist.
  • poet.
  • reporter.

What does scrawl mean in English?

transitive verb. : to write or draw awkwardly, hastily, or carelessly scrawled his name. intransitive verb. : to write awkwardly or carelessly.

What is the synonym of written?

In this page you can discover 65 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for written, like: printed, scripted, penned, put in writing, scribbled, under one’s hand, lettered, recorded, dictated, noted and drafted.

What are the 7 types of writing?

The 7 most common types of essay writing

  1. Narrative. Narrative essays are traditionally intended to tell a story based on the writer’s real-life experiences. …
  2. Descriptive. Descriptive essays essentially paint a picture of something. …
  3. Expository. …
  4. Persuasive. …
  5. Compare and contrast. …
  6. Reflective. …
  7. Personal.

What are the 5 types of writing?

The 5 Types of Writing Styles and Why You Should Master Each

  • Narrative Writing. Narrative writing is storytelling at its most basic: it’s all about sharing something that happens to a character. …
  • Descriptive Writing. …
  • Persuasive Writing. …
  • Expository Writing. …
  • Creative Writing.

What are the two styles of writing?

There are four main types of writing: expository, descriptive, persuasive, and narrative. Each of these writing styles is used for a specific purpose. A single text may include more than one writing style.

How do you say someone is a good writer?

1 Answer. Consider eloquent: 1 Fluent or persuasive in speaking or writing.

How do you compliment a writer?

How do you compliment writing skills?

  1. 1 Your positivity is infectious.
  2. 2 You should be so proud of yourself.
  3. 3 You’re amazing!
  4. 4 You’re a true gift to the people in your life.
  5. 5 You’re an incredible friend.
  6. 6 I really appreciate everything that you do.
  7. 7 You inspire me to be a better person.

How do you say something is beautifully written?

When something is beautifully, gorgeously, perfectly said (or written), it’s eloquent.

What do u call a good writer?

wordsmith. a person who works with words; especially : a skillful writer. wordsmithery. the craft or skill of a wordsmith.

What’s another word for well written?

What is another word for well-written?

literate articulate
eloquent lucid
polished stylish
well written

How would you describe a good writer?

Clarity. An effective writer is able to distill complex thoughts and ideas into simple, clear language that’s quickly and easily understood by others. This valuable quality helps them tackle even the densest subject matter by breaking it down into uncomplicated pieces.

What is sum of money?

1. sum of money – a quantity of money; “he borrowed a large sum”; “the amount he had in cash was insufficient” amount, amount of money, sum. gain – the amount by which the revenue of a business exceeds its cost of operating. receipts, revenue, gross – the entire amount of income before any deductions are made.

How do you use the word scrawl in a sentence?

Scrawl sentence example

The familiar scrawl belonged to Mary. I do not know whether you will care to read this scrawl . Please try to resist the temptation to scribble them in illegible scrawl .

What are sprawls?

to sit or lie in a relaxed position with the limbs spread out carelessly or ungracefully: He sprawled across the bed. to spread out, extend, or be distributed in a straggling or irregular manner, as vines, buildings, handwriting, etc. to crawl awkwardly with the aid of all the limbs; scramble.

What is a word for a good writer?

wordsmith. a person who works with words; especially : a skillful writer. wordsmithery.

What is a better word for has?

What is another word for has?

owns possesses
boasts has in keeping
holds maintains
carries controls
enjoys has possession of

Which type of writing is best?

Here’s a look at some of the most common writing types and what you need to do in order to write them well.

  1. Business writing. In some ways, business writing is the easiest kind of writing. …
  2. Academic essays. …
  3. Journalism. …
  4. Letters to the editor. …
  5. Marketing copy. …
  6. Prose. …
  7. Poetry. …
  8. Diaries.

What are the 4 forms of writing?

Consider these four types of writing: expository, persuasive, descriptive, and narrative.

What are basic types of writing?

While there are many reasons why you might be putting pen to paper or tapping away on the keyboard, there are really only four main types of writing: expository, descriptive, persuasive, and narrative. Each of these four writing genres has a distinct aim, and they all require different types of writing skills.

Writing is a tough game sometimes. Writers are constantly searching for the perfect word to convey an idea, to share the right emotion, or explain a difficult concept, among other situations. The right word in a headline might make or break a story, getting those all-important readers to spend time with your words. 

Rather than stay stuck, most writers will pull out a thesaurus, online or hard copy. These two tools, OneLook and Related Words offer just the right balance of speed and thoroughness to help you find the perfect word to make your writing hold a reader’s attention.

OneLook Thesaurus screenshot

TJ McCue

OneLook is fantastic in that it allows you to do a simple search or to easily use advanced filters to help you when you are truly stuck. For example, you can try the “Starts with” filter or the “Sounds like” option. How many times have you said out loud that you need a word that “sounds like” another word? 

After you search, OneLook also gives you the definition, which is quite helpful and may give you more ideas for finding just the right word. But then it gives you this big table of words that are related (as you can see in the screenshot above). The default result gives you all the similar words, but then it also lets you select by nouns, adjectives, verbs, and adverbs. The last thing that I truly love about OneLook is they offer a Google Docs integration that you can install as an add-on within the Google Docs settings to get all of that without leaving your work in progress. 

Forbes RelatedWords Thesaurus

TJ McCue

Related Words operates a little differently than tools like a standard thesaurus or OneLook. According to their site, “it looks for words which have some meaningful relationship with your query. [Resulting in] ‘related words’ — rather than just direct synonyms.” As you can see in my screenshot, it displays many options in the results table. But what you cannot see is that it goes on for hundreds of words below the roughly 35 words you see in my image. It is almost a bit too much, but if you love narrowing down to just the right word, you can keep clicking and zeroing in.

Of course, if you simply do not want to remember or bookmark either of these wonderful websites, then I have one more suggestion. Use some of Google’s advanced search features. You can simply type “define:” into the Google search box with your word of choice, like this:  “define:InsertYourWord.” I bolded the command to make it easier to see, but you only need to type the word define with a colon, then your search term (without a space and without quotes) and Google will give you some basic definitions which can lead you to other words that might work. Not near as elegant as these two sites, but can work in a pinch. 

Hat tip to Ann Handley’s newsletter that often shares useful writing tools. This thesaurus tip came from TA #45: Make Writing Fun Again, Get More Newsletter Subscribers, How Old Are You Based on Your Emails?

Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn. Check out my website. 

word choice

Word choice is a critical component of good writing.

Have you ever read a sentence and wondered what it was trying to say? Ever gotten hung up on a word that felt out of place because the meaning of the word didn’t fit the context? When was the last time you spotted a word that was unnecessarily repeated throughout a page, chapter, or book?

There are two sides to any piece of writing. The first is the message, idea, or story. The other side is the craft of stringing words together into sentences and using sentences to build paragraphs. Adept writing flows smoothy and makes sense. Readers shouldn’t have to stop and dissect sentences or get hung up on words that are repetitive or confusing.

Which is why word choice is such an important skill for any writer to possess.

Common Word-Choice Mistakes

The right word can make or break a sentence. If we want our prose to be rich, vibrant, and meaningful, then we need to develop a robust vocabulary. As we write, revise, and proofread, there are plenty of common word-choice mistakes to watch out for. If we can catch those mistakes and fix them, we’ll end up with better writing.

Here are some word-choice to mistakes to watch out for in your writing:

Repetition: When the same words and phrases are repeated in a short space, they act like clichés, becoming tiresome and meaningless. Some words have to be repeated, especially articles, prepositions, and conjunctions. If we’re writing a story set on a submarine, the word submarine (or sub) will get repeated frequently. That’s to be expected. However, repetitive descriptive words get monotonous. Every girl is pretty, every stride is long, everybody taps their keyboards. The fix: look for words that can be replaced with synonyms or alternative wording and avoid using the same descriptive words over and over again.

Connotation: With all the synonyms available, choosing the right word can be a challenge. Each word has a meaning, but most words also have connotations, which skew the meaning in a particular direction. Connotations are implied or emotional undertones that flavor a word’s meaning. If your character is going home, there is a much different implication than if the character is going to her house. The fix: when choosing synonyms, consider the connotation and emotional flavor of each option.

Precision: The best word choices are specific. One word will be vague and nondescript while another will be vivid and descriptive. Consider the following sentences:

He wrote a poem on a piece of paper.
He wrote a poem on a sheet of vellum.

The second sentence is more visual because the word choice (vellum) is more precise. The fix: whenever possible, choose the most precise word available.

Simplicity: Readers don’t want to have to run to the dictionary to get through a page of your writing, and most don’t appreciate the haughtiness that erudite writing evokes. If you’re writing to a highbrow audience, then by all means, feel free to pontificate, but to reach a wider audience, make your language accessible. The fix: check your text for rare and long words, and if you can replace them with more common or shorter words, do it.

Musicality: Sometimes, word choice comes down to musicality. How does one word sound in your sentence as opposed to another? If you’re trying to choose between words like bin and container, you might make your decision based on which word sounds better in the sentence. The fix: read sentences and paragraphs aloud to see how different words sound.

Thoughtful Word Choices for Better Writing

Whether you agonize over word choice while you’re drafting or during revisions, there are some incredibly useful tools for making word choice a breeze. In addition to using the tools that are at your disposal, consistently working to expand your vocabulary will do wonders for improving your language and word-choice skills:

  1. The thesaurus and the dictionary are your friends. Use them (especially the thesaurus).
  2. Read voraciously. Nothing will improve your writing and your vocabulary as well as the simple act of reading.
  3. Read and write poetry. Poems are full of vivacious words. You’ll develop a knack for word choice and grow a bountiful vocabulary if you study a little poetry.
  4. Play word games like Scrabble, Scattergories, and Words with Friends, which force you to actively use your vocabulary.
  5. Sign up for Word of the Day and commit to learning 365 words over the next year.

Have you ever gotten frustrated by reading a book that was peppered with poor word choices? Do you make a conscious effort to use the right words in your writing? How far will you go to find the perfect word for a sentence? Share your thoughts on how thoughtful word choices result in better writing by leaving a comment, and keep writing!

10 Core Practices for Better Writing

If you’re reading this, then you want to be a better writer. However, becoming a better writer is elusive, isn’t it? It’s more art than science. There are hundreds of writing rules, thousands of words to know, and millions of possible ways you could write a simple message. There are also words to avoid in writing.

How do you become a better writer when writing itself is so complicated?

words to avoid in writing

One Writing Rule That Will Make You a Better Writer

In this article, we’ll discuss seven words you should avoid, but if I had to give you one piece of advice about how to become a better writer, this would be it:

“Be more specific.”

Being more specific is the piece of the writing advice I give to nearly every writer I work with.

Unfortunately, there aren’t seven magical words that you can use to make your writing better.

Instead, these seven vague words are KILLING your writing.

If you want to follow writing rule number one to be more specific, then you need to look out for these seven words. They’re vague and are usually a shortcut to what you’re really trying to say.

Every time you catch yourself writing with any of these, try to find a better (and more specific) way to phrase your message.

A Caveat

The problem with writing about what not to do is that you inevitably do exactly what you’re telling others not to do.

If you catch me using any of these seven words or phrases in this article or elsewhere, you’re welcome to email me angrily, calling me a hypocrite.

Consider, though, that none of us, especially me, have arrived at the summit of editorial perfection. Also, please remember that writing is still an art, not a science, and the most important rule of art is to break the rules!

7 Words and Phrases to Avoid in Writing (to be a Better Writer)

Without further delay, here are the seven words and phrases to avoid if you want to become a better writer.

1. “One of”

Good writers take a stand.

It is either the most important or not. It’s either the best or not. Avoid saying “one of the most important,” “one of the best.”

Example: One of the most important writing rules is to be specific.

Instead: The most important writing rule is to be specific.

This is true when it comes to short story writing, novel writing, or even academic writing. As a writer, you should be confident in what you’re writing about. Use words that are certain, not wishy-washy.

2. “Some”

Here is the definition of the word “some:

  1. An unspecified amount or number of.
  2. Used to refer to someone or something that is unknown or unspecified.

By definition, the word “some” is vague, and as you know, vague writing is bad writing.

If you want to become a better writer, avoid “some” and all of its relatives:

  • sometimes
  • something
  • someone
  • somewhere
  • somewhat
  • somebody
  • somehow

Using “some” in any form often works as a filler word or boring writing, and it makes it hard to visual what you’re talking about, too.

Good writing sticks to specifics, so instead of leaning on vague descriptions that include “some,” think about how you can create an exact picture by putting detail into the description.

3. “Thing”

We use the word “thing” constantly. Even as I was writing this article, I had to fight to avoid using it.

However, the word “thing” is a shortcut and a sign of vague, watered-down writing. If you see it in your writing, think hard about what you’re really trying to say.

A good way to flag how often you use the word “thing” is the search and find tool. Take a look at how many times you use this weak word in your writing, and replace it with what you’re actually trying to write about.

On a regular basis, there is a noun you’re actually trying to explain, and “thing” doesn’t describe that noun well.

4. “To Be” verbs, Especially Before Verbs Ending With -Ing

“To be” is the most frequently used verb in the English language. Its conjugations include:

  • am
  • are
  • is
  • was
  • were
  • being
  • been

Because “To Be” verbs are so common, we easily overuse them, especially with progressive verbs, verbs that end in -ing.

Example: “Spot was running through the woods.”

Instead: “Spot ran through the woods.”

“Spot was running” is a good example of a verb weakened by “to be.”

“Spot ran” on the other hand, is a much stronger example.

Instead, consider how to use vivid verbs, or action verbs. In fact, I’d argue vivid verbs are the most important words used in any story or written word because this is what actually shows instead of tells.

Another writing tip to keep in mind is that “to be” verbs often use passive voice, and as a writer, you want to write in active voice, not passive.

The example above models this.

5. “Very”

Why cut the word “very”? I’m going to leave this one to the pros:

“Substitute ‘damn’ every time you’re inclined to write ‘very,’” said Mark Twain. “Your editor will delete it and the writing will be just as it should be.”

This goes for New York editors working in big publishing houses and freelance editors, and it should be something you cut when editing your own work.

It’s not unlike fancy dialogue tags like “hollered” or “exclaimed,” the overuse of the word “very” stand out in a distracting way.

It makes the writing clunky instead of uniquely descriptive.

“So avoid using the word ‘very’ because it’s lazy. A man is not very tired, he is exhausted. Don’t use very sad, use morose. Language was invented for one reason, boys—to woo women—and, in that endeavor, laziness will not do. It also won’t do in your essays.” —N.H. Kleinbaum, Dead Poets Society

“‘Very’ is the most useless word in the English language and can always come out. More than useless, it is treacherous because it invariably weakens what it is intended to strengthen.” —Florence King

6. Adverbs (words that end with “-ly”)

Adverbs—like loudly, painfully, beautifully—are well-meaning words that do nothing for the reading experience.

Good writing is specific. Good writing paints pictures in readers’ minds. But which sentence paints a better picture in your mind?

Sentence 1: “She laughed loudly.”

Sentence 2: “Her loud laugh seemed to reverberate through the party like a gong. Heads turned to see where the ruckus came from.”

Adverbs do lend verbs a glimmer of meaning, but it’s the difference between gold-plated and solid gold. Go for the real thing. Avoid adverbs.

By doing so, you’ll also probably improve your word count, and writing fewer words that tell a story is better than adding adverbs just because you think it makes a detail stand out.

7. Leading words: So, mostly, most times, in order to, often, oftentimes

Most times—often even—you don’t need leading words. Cut them to sharpen your writing.

I’ve even read an argument that beginning your sentence with the word “so” can sound condescending. What do you think?

Writing This Way Isn’t Easy

It takes time. You have to think through each sentence, each word. You have to cut and rewrite and rewrite again.

You have to think.

This, of course, is how you become a better writer. You labor over words. You build up meaning one sentence at a time. And eventually you become so fast and competent that it’s easy, simple to write this way.

Just kidding. It’s never easy. It’s worth it, though.

Do you try to avoid any or all of these words in your writing? Let us know in the comments section.

PRACTICE

Rewrite the following paragraph, avoiding the seven words above.

One of John’s favorite things was the view of the Brooklyn Bridge from the East River. He would sometimes walk there early in the morning when it was still very dark in order to see the city in first light. Often he would see others there who were walking and enjoying the city as well. He was somewhere near Squibb Park when someone came up behind him. She had really blonde hair and was very beautiful and she bumped him roughly as she was running quickly by. He fell, painfully, on his side, and so the woman stopped, and was jogging in place as she asked if he was okay. So, he thought, what am I going to do now?

Write for fifteen minutes, packing as much specific detail as you can into the paragraph. When you’re finished, post your practice in the box below, and if you share your practice, please be sure to leave feedback on a few practices by other writers.

Have fun!

Enter your practice here:

Joe Bunting

Joe Bunting is an author and the leader of The Write Practice community. He is also the author of the new book Crowdsourcing Paris, a real life adventure story set in France. It was a #1 New Release on Amazon. Follow him on Instagram (@jhbunting).

Want best-seller coaching? Book Joe here.

It’s a familiar scene: you’re slumped over your keyboard or notebook, obsessing over your character. While we tend to agonize over everything from structure to backstory, it’s important to weigh how you write something too. A perfectly constructed world is flat on the page if you use feeble, common words. When you’re finished constructing your perfectly balanced world, do your writing a favor and take another pass to weed out these 18 haggard words.

Good

High on any list of most used English words is “good.” While this word may appear to be the perfect adjective for nearly anything, that is precisely what makes it so vague. Try getting more specific. If something’s going well, try “superb,” “outstanding” or “exceptional.”

New

Another of the common words in English is “new.” “New” is an adjective that doesn’t always set off alarm bells, so it can be easy to forget about. Give your writing more punch by ditching “new” and using something like “latest” or “recent” instead.

Long

Much like “new,” “long” is spent, yet it doesn’t always register as such while you’re writing. Instead of this cliché phrase, try describing exactly how long it is: “extended,” “lingering” or “endless,” for example.

Old

“Old” is certainly one of those common words that means more to readers if you’re specific about how old a subject is. Is it “ancient,” “fossilized,” “decaying” or “decrepit”?

Right

“Right” is also among the common words that tends to slip through our writer filters. If somebody is correct, you could also say “exact” or “precise.” Don’t let habit words like “right” dampen your writing.

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⌄ Scroll down to continue reading article ⌄

Different

Here’s another adjective that falls a bit flat for readers, but can also easily be improved by getting more specific. Saying something is “odd” or “uncommon” is very different than saying it is “exotic” or “striking.”

Small

“Small” is another adjective that is too generic for writing as good as yours. Use “microscopic,” “miniature” or “tiny” instead. Even using “cramped” or “compact” is more descriptive for your audience.

Large

Just like relying too much on “small,” we tend to describe large things as, well, “large.” Specificity is a big help with this one too: could your subject be “substantial,” “immense,” “enormous” or “massive”?

Next

Whenever we describe something coming “next,” we run the risk of losing our readers. Good options to make your reading more powerful include “upcoming,” “following” or “closer.”

Young

Another case of being too generic is what makes “young” a problematic adjective. If you want your writing to be more captivating, try switching “young” out for “youthful,” “naive” or “budding.”

Never

“Never” is also among common words to use sparingly. Not only is it a common, stale descriptor, it’s also usually incorrect. For something to never happen, even one instance makes this word inaccurate. Try “rarely,” “scarcely” or “occasionally” instead.

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⌄ Scroll down to continue reading article ⌄

Things

“Things” is another repeat offender when it comes to worn out words. Another word where specificity is the key, try replacing “things” with “belongings,” “property” or “tools.”

All

Just like “never,” “all” is an encompassing, absolute term. Not only is “all” unoriginal, it’s not usually factual. Try using “each” and “copious” instead.

Feel

“Feel” is also in the company of common English words. Try using “sense,” or “discern” instead. You can also move your sentence into a more active tense: “I feel hungry” could become “I’m famished,” for example.

Seem

“Seem” is bad habit word we are all guilty of using. Regardless of how well you think your sentence is constructed, try switching “seem” out for “shows signs of.” “Comes across as” is another good option to give your writing more power.

Almost

Another easy adjective to let slip by, “almost” is a wasted opportunity to engage your readers. “Almost” is more interesting if you say “practically,” “nearly” or “verging on” instead.

Just

“Just making” it or “just barely” affording something isn’t very descriptive. To truly grab a reader, we must do better. Try “narrowly,” “simply” or “hardly” to give your phrasing more weight.

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⌄ Scroll down to continue reading article ⌄

Went

Last but not least, avoid using the common word “went” to describe your subject. “Went” is a word that lacks traction. Try using “chose,” “decided on” or “rambled” to truly grab your readers.

Featured photo credit: Angie Garrett via flickr.com

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