Writing the Novel - Another List of Overused Words

I hope everyone's writing is going well and that progress is being made. Again, I'd like to thank all those who've posted comments. Your thoughts are much appreciated and gives me motivation to keep this blog going when I really have so many other things I should be doing. A while back, I posted a list of words that I'd jotted down during various writing courses. These were words to be avoided, poor modifiers, weak descriptors, over-used words. That post has turned out to be one of my favorites, as I go back to it often as I'm rewriting. As I'm nearing completion of my revision, each word it seems is taking on greater importance, and I find myself commonly go back to that list. So for today's post, I wanted to update it and expand it. Some of you may remember that the reason I originally started this blog was to share all that I've learned over the years towards publishing, but also for myself. When I came up with my Ten-Point Revision Strategy, this blog served as a thinking pad for me to flesh those ideas out, help me to concentrate and focus in the important details. And I still find I'm doing that. Each time I post, what I write about is as much to help me understand the topics as it is to offer any insights to the readers. Hopefully, we'll both be able to learn and grow in our writing together. This list has been modified from phschool.com I present it here as a tool for all of us to remember those weak, overused words. If you'd like any further research on the topic, please visit their site. Overused Words about approximately, nearly, almost, approaching, close to

absolutely unconditionally, perfectly, completely, ideally, purely

activity action, movement, operation, labor, exertion, enterprise, project, pursuit, endeavor, job, assignment, pastime, scheme, task

add attach, affix, join, unite, append, increase, amplify

affect adjust, influence, transform, moderate, incline, motivate, prompt

amazing overwhelming, astonishing, startling, unexpected, stunning, dazzling, remarkable

awesome impressive, stupendous, fabulous, astonishing, outstanding

bad defective, inadequate, poor, unsatisfactory, disagreeable, offensive, repulsive, corrupt, wicked, naughty, harmful, injurious, unfavorable

basic essential, necessary, indispensable, vital, fundamental, elementary

beautiful attractive, appealing, alluring, exquisite, gorgeous, handsome, stunning

begin commence, found, initiate, introduce, launch, originate

better preferable, superior, worthier

big enormous, extensive, huge, immense, massive

boring commonplace, monotonous, tedious, tiresome

bring accompany, cause, convey, create, conduct, deliver, produce

cause origin, stimulus, inspiration, motive

certain unquestionable, incontrovertible, unmistakable, indubitable, assured, confident

change alter, transform, vary, replace, diversify

choose select, elect, nominate, prefer, identify

decent respectable, adequate, fair, suitable

definitely unquestionably, clearly, precisely, positively, inescapably

easy effortless, natural, comfortable, undemanding, pleasant, relaxed effective powerful, successful emphasize underscore, feature, accentuate end limit, boundary, finish, conclusion, finale, resolution energy vitality, vigor, force, dynamism enjoy savor, relish, revel, benefit entire complete, inclusive, unbroken, integral excellent superior, remarkable, splendid, unsurpassed, superb, magnificent exciting thrilling, stirring, rousing, dramatic far distant, remote fast swift, quick, fleet, hasty, instant, accelerated fill occupy, suffuse, pervade, saturate, inflate, stock finish complete, conclude, cease, achieve, exhaust, deplete, consume funny comical, ludicrous, amusing, droll, entertaining, bizarre, unusual, uncommon get obtain, receive, acquire, procure, achieve give bestow, donate, supply, deliver, distribute, impart go proceed, progress, advance, move good satisfactory, serviceable, functional, competent, virtuous, striking great tremendous, superior, remarkable, eminent, proficient, expert happy pleased, joyous, elated, jubilant, cheerful, delighted hard arduous, formidable, complex, complicated, rigorous, harsh help assist, aid, support, sustain, serve hurt injure, harm, damage, wound, impair important significant, substantial, weighty, meaningful, critical, vital, notable interesting absorbing, appealing, entertaining, fascinating, thought-provoking job task, work, business, undertaking, occupation, vocation, chore, duty, assignment keep retain, control, possess kind type, variety, sort, form know comprehend, understand, realize, perceive, discern like (adj) similar, equivalent, parallel like (verb) enjoy, relish, appreciate main primary, foremost, dominant make build, construct, produce, assemble, fashion, manufacture mean plan, intend, suggest, propose, indicate more supplementary, additional, replenishment new recent, modern, current, novel next subsequently, thereafter, successively nice pleasant, satisfying, gracious, charming old aged, mature, experienced, used, worn, former, previous open unobstructed, accessible part section, portion, segment, detail, element, component perfect flawless, faultless, ideal, consummate plan scheme, design, system, plot pleasant agreeable, gratifying, refreshing, welcome prove demonstrate, confirm, validate, verify, corroborate quick brisk, prompt, responsive, rapid, nimble, hasty really truly, genuinely, extremely, undeniably regular standard, routine, customary, habitual see regard, behold, witness, gaze, realize, notice small diminutive, miniature, minor, insignificant, slight, trivial sometimes occasionally, intermittently, sporadically, periodically take grasp, capture, choose, select, tolerate, endure terrific extraordinary, magnificent, marvelous think conceive, imagine, ponder, reflect, contemplate try attempt, endeavor, venture, test use employ, operate, utilize very unusually, extremely, deeply, exceedingly, profoundly want desire, crave, yearn, long