As writers, we love words. But there are some words that should rarely be used or are used in the wrong way. Here’s a list of words I search for in my WIP’s. I’ve used them in bad examples and showed what the sentence would look like if I delete the word. When I find these words, if I can, I hit delete.
Some
There were some flowers in the vase. There were flowers in the vase.
That
She hoped that he would ask her to marry him. She hoped he would ask her to marry him.
Over
Go over to the neighbor’s house. Go to the neighbor’s house.
Even
She even wanted to get some ice cream. She wanted to get some ice cream.
Down
He set down the book on the table. He set the book on the table.
Start
He started to run. He ran.
Begin, began, begun
He began to sing. He sang.
Almost
He was almost six feet tall. He was six feet tall.
Right
I’m doing that right now. I’m doing that now.
Such
She’s such a sweet person. She’s a sweet person. Better yet – She stayed with me until I felt better.
Quite
It’s been quite a day. It’s been a day.
About
Go to the store about 7:00. Go to the store at 7:00.
Then
Then he stormed out. He stormed out.
All
All of the buildings were torn down. The buildings were torn down.
Seem
He seemed like a gentleman. He was a gentleman. Better yet – He opened the door for me.
Very
The dog barked very loudly. The dog barked. (dogs don’t bark softly)
Been
I’ve been tired. I’m tired.
Only
He was only twelve years old. He was twelve years old.
Real
She was real ugly. She was ugly.
On
She sat on the chair. She sat.
Had
He had known she would leave him. He knew she would leave him.
Out
He ran out into the field. He ran into the field.
Off
He took his clothes off. He undressed.
Up
She glanced up at him. She glanced at him.
Back
I went back to the scene of the crime. I returned to the scene of the crime.
Being
I was being a silly. I was silly. Better yet – I stuck my tongue out and giggled.
Going
She was going to break up with him. She would break up with him.
Got
I have got to go. I have to go.
Was before ing
He was running in the race. He ran in the race.
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