• Who is this gal?
  • Write Me!

Robin Coyle

~ Ink of Me

Robin Coyle

Daily Archives: May 18, 2012

Strong vs Weak Words – Part 7 ~ Had

18 Friday May 2012

Posted by robincoyle in In Search . . ., Strong vs Weak Words

≈ 35 Comments

Tags

Overused Words, Overusing the Word Had, Overusing the Word Have, Strong vs Weak Words, Strong Words, Weak Words, writers, writing, Writing Advice, writing tips

“I’ve HAD it up to here with the word HAD,” she said while drawing an imaginary knife across her throat.

Today’s words of the day are, you guessed it, “had” and her kissing-cousin “have.” My novel was littered with them.

Many (too many to count) of my “had’s” and “haves” were tossed out with the bathwater. I give you the following examples:

I had breakfast. 

Big deal. Me too.

I threw up my breakfast.

I ate breakfast with Superman.

I inhaled my breakfast. 

~~~~~

She had questions for me. 

Yawn.

She pommeled me with questions. 

~~~~~ 

She had red hair.

What? Is she now bald?

Her red hair glowed like a match-tip.

~~~~~

I have a bossy dachshund.

Really? He should meet William.

 My bossy dachshund thinks he owns me.

~~~~~

The problem I have is ______________.

 You fill in the blank, but please be nice.

My problem is abuse of the words “had” and “have.”

If you will excuse me, I’m off to do hours of editing.

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
  • Strong vs Weak Words – Part 5 for the words ALWAYS and NEVER
  • Strong vs Weak Words – Part 6 for the words PRETTY, SURE, and CERTAIN
  • Moldy Verbs, Adverbs, and Intensifiers

My Blog

  • In Search . . . (269)
  • Strong vs Weak Words (48)
  • Uncategorized (14)

Recent Posts

  • A New Book and a New Blog Everyone!
  • Something positive has to come out of this, right?
  • Update on one sick puppy . . .
  • One sick puppy . . . and she needs your help
  • Taking a Stance on Stance Underwear

Who is this gal?

  • Who is this gal?
  • Write Me!

Enter your email to receive notifications of new posts, and no, we won't share your email address!

RobinCoyle.com

RSS Feed RSS - Posts

Archives

  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • March 2017
  • November 2016
  • August 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • August 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
May 2012
M T W T F S S
 123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
28293031  
« Apr   Jun »

Blog at WordPress.com.

  • Follow Following
    • Robin Coyle
    • Join 1,057 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Robin Coyle
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...