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
Robin Coyle 