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Overused Words, Overusing the Word Always, Overusing the Word Never, Strong vs Weak Words, writers, writing, Writing Advice, writing tips
“Never” on a Sunday. Or maybe “always” on a Sunday.
You guessed it. Today’s weak words to avoid are:
Never
And
Always
When stating the action, the “never” or “always” is implied. Here are examples:
I never go out on Saturday nights.
You poor lonely soul loser.
I stay home on Saturday nights and cry in my beer.
~~~~~~
My mom always says I need to stand up straight.
My mom tells me the same thing!
My mom nags about standing up straight.
In most instances, “never” and “always” are filler and make the sentence fall flat. Besides, it is rare that someone “always” does something.
I will “never” confess how many times I used the word “never.” Let’s just say I “always” used it.
Geez Robin, follow your advice would you?
I won’t confess how often I used the word “never” because I am too embarrassed.
For advice on other words that sneak into your writing, clink on the links below:
- I Have a Problem with “That”
- Sneaky Little Words for the word GOT
- Strong vs Weak Words for the word WENT
- Strong vs Weak Words – Part 2 for the word PEOPLE
- Strong vs Weak Words – Part 3 for the words THING and STUFF
- Strong vs Weak Words – Part 4 for the words GO and GOING
- Moldy Verbs, Adverbs, and Intensifiers
Pingback: Strong vs Weak Words – Part 13 « Robin Coyle
Pingback: Strong vs Weak Words – Part 12 « Robin Coyle
Pingback: Strong vs Weak Words – Part 11 « Robin Coyle
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Pingback: Strong vs Weak Words – Part 7 « Robin Coyle
My wise old grandmother always punished me when I did wrong. She really did. Always. lol
I would NEVER punish you.
Pingback: Strong vs Weak Words – Part 6 « Robin Coyle
Funnily enough, when I was editing a story I was going to submit today, I was removing lots of ‘Always’ from my work. I may just be becoming more self aware. 🙂
Good for you! I know I am becoming more self-aware because of this series. I love that we are all learning together.
It is such a good help and so much more meaningful taking advice from someone who you know is using it herself. 🙂
I’ve just finished re-writing chapter 24 of my book and performed a quick *find* exercise to see how many of your suggested words to avoid were in there. And then I re-wrote those sentences again to remove them.
It’s a good habit to start, thanks, Robin. 🙂
I take it the sentences were better after you rewrote them and avoided using, “people,” “things,” “went,” etc?
Yup. No people, but a couple of never’s and always managed to sneak in there. I’m on to them 🙂
Bravo!
Wow, I have 32 “always” and a lot more “never”s. I’ve just added them to my editing to-do list. Any more work you’d like to toss my way? Just kidding of course–really useful stuff you’re providing. It’s nice to have concrete issues to deal with rather than abstract details. Thanks!
I am afraid to comment on your comment given what we are experiencing with WordPress, but here goes. Did you find that the “always” and “nevers” were better when edited out? And, there are more pesky words to come, so stay posted. I am so annoying.
Well, only 20 almosts, but many more nevers! Most are in dialogue, but I don’t think the characters would miss them…. 😛
I’ve got a list of your weak words on the title page of my latest hard copy for the next round of edits after my rewrites. And I’ll bet the list continues to grow! 🙂
Well that just made my day. Not the part about all the almosts and nevers in your manuscript but the part about my posts helping you as you edit.
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Great post as always! I’m nominating you for the Kreative Blogger Award!
Wow! Thank you so much! I needed that today with all the crazy WordPress stuff going on. Are you having any troubles?
I’ll accept this as soon as our friends at WordPress stop messing with our heads.
Yes, I’m seriously considering changing over to wordpress without the wordpress (not sure what that’s called, but I’m tired of the free version getting no help, and messing up.)
Hi,
I love the sign with the heart, so true. 🙂
Cute, eh?
Really? Never ever?
Or just never less?
I kept a few in, and when I reread/edited the sentences, I took them out and didn’t miss them. I was able to convey “never” by using other stronger words. However, I don’t think an occasional “never” would hurt.
🙂