Ten Words to Remove From Your Writing

By Jeaux Bartlett

Writing long isn’t necessarily better than writing short. More words don’t often equal more grace on the page. Just more space.

When I write, I do my best to turn off my inner editor and critic and let my fingers relay whatever my mind and body want to express. During revision, however, I trim and snip, spending a good bit of quality time with my word processing program’s find and replace feature. 

Here are the ten words I search for to replace with stronger ones–or often nothing at all. 

That

We overuse “that” constantly because we feel that we need it in our writing. You don’t need it. There are times “that” is appropriate, such as, “I want to buy that awesome book over there.” But, most of the time, “that” can go by way of the delete key. 

How can you tell? Re-read your writing without the “thats” and see if it still makes sense. If it does, you don’t need that “that” there.

Just

“Just” weakens your writing. Unless you’re using in the context of justice, you can replace “just” with a stronger word–barely, exactly, recently, only, or simply–or delete it altogether. 

When you delete “just,” the only difference is fewer words to read in writing that’s stronger and more engaging.

Really

We use “really” for emphasis. Change the word you’re emphasizing. Rather than saying “writing is really hard” use a stronger word, such as “writing is difficult.”

Very

It’s the same as “really.” Delete it and make the word it modifies stronger.

Almost

At a writing seminar I attended more than a decade ago, a speaker lectured us on her dislike of the word “almost.”

“Don’t write, ‘He ran so fast he almost hit the door,’” she said. “Tell me what actually happened instead of what didn’t happen.”

Clearly, it’s stuck with me, as I carefully consider whether “almost” truly needs to be there when it crops up in my writing.

Perhaps

Perhaps and its sister word “maybe” indicate uncertainty about what you’re saying. Unless you want to indicate uncertainty or multiple possibilities, perhaps don’t use it. (Kidding. Don’t use it. Declare yourself upon the page!)

Quite

I’m originally from England, so “quite” is a regularly-used adjective in my speech. It used to be in my writing as well, until an editor told me I was “damning with faint praise.” My assignement was on a band I described as “quite energetic.”

Depending on the word it’s describing “quite” can either mean “a little, fairly, moderately” or “very, totally, or completely.” Decide what you’re trying to say, then replace “quite” with that word. Unless you’re writing British dialogue. 

Literally

Before we collectively changed our minds, “literally” used to mean something was true in a literal sense. It now also means “figuratively.” 

As the word has essentially lost its meaning except in hyperbole, I prefer not to use it.

Nice

“Nice” is bland. Surely there’s a better, more alive word you can use. 

People aren’t nice. They’re friendly, observant, kind, patient, polite. Food doesn’t taste nice. It’s savory, comforting, palatable, bland.

Every

I confess, I’m a former rampant over user of “every” including “everyone” and “everything.” Over use of this word makes your writing less believable. Writing (and thinking) in absolutes (every, always, never) doesn’t work well on the page or in life.

While there are plenty more ways to strengthen your writing, cutting these ten words will go a long way to making your prose (or poems) more polished and engaging. When your writing is strong and clear, it’s easy and fluid to read.

Jeaux Bartlett (they/them or xe/xem) started their writing career as a journalist in a teeny Western North Carolina town at the turn of the millennium. They’ve published several books and online courses focused on personal growth and their work has appeared in the Register Guard, Lane Monthly, Rochester insider, and Crossroads Chronicle amongst other publications. 

Jeaux is on the staff at Wordcrafters in Eugene, a nonprofit creative writing organization. You can learn more about them and the classes and events Wordcrafers offers at wordcrafters.org.

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