Tags
editing, Strong vs Weak Words, Strong Words, Weak Words, writers, writing, Writing Advice, writing tips
I was just about to say that I just don’t overuse the word “just.” Just STOP using the word “just” Robin!
You guessed it ~ today’s overused word is “just”
When reviewing my manuscript, I thought, “Surely I don’t overuse the word “just,” and don’t call me Shirley. (Bonus point for the first commenter to name the movie this is from.)
I knew about the “just” thing without reading one word from one sage writing advisor. A quick “seek and destroy” uncovered 52 of the bloody things.
I couldn’t bear to part with a handful of “justs.” I imagine Lennon and McCartney felt the same way when they wrote “I’ve Just Seen A Face.”
Here are some poorly written examples to help you spot and nuke the problem in your writing (if you have a problem, that is):
I just stopped by for a spot of tea.
What? Not conversation, not bangers and mash, not a lovely back rub?
I stopped by for a spot of tea but couldn’t be bothered by her writing tip drivel.
~~~~~
I just wanted to leave.
You didn’t put your coat on, grab your purse, or smack her?
She foisted her opinions on me so I smacked her, grabbed my coat and purse, and slammed the door behind me.
~~~~~
I had just one glass of wine when I arrived home.
You are a liar.
I consumed a bottle of wine to erase her annoying tips from my brain.
That is more like it!
Cheers! The next round is on me! Let me know what you find.
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
- Strong vs Weak Words – Part 7 for the word HAD and HAVE
- Moldy Verbs, Adverbs, and Intensifiers
Robin Coyle 
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I’m just having a wonderful time camping out in your blog this morning. lol
I’m so glad. I cracks me up when you do this camping thing. I happy you did as i was feeling rather lonely today. Sigh.
If you’re lonely, I can highly recommend a cat. lol
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Reblogged this on Ramblings of a Misguided Blonde and commented:
I “just” love all the pop culture references here.
Thanks for the reblog Lindsey! You are “just” so cool!
I can’t read that line without hearing Leslie Nielson’s voice. 🙂
Doesn’t it make you want to rent the movie again? I put it on my Netflix queue.
I can’t let my husband watch it or I’ll be hearing Leslie Nielson for months!
Hi. I had to “Press This” to my blog because the series is fabulous. Hope you get some new readers/ visitors. Thanks for the writing tips!
You are the coolest person ever! Thank you so much! I couldn’t find a place to comment on your blog so consider this my “thank you” on your blog. Am I overlooking a comment button on your blog?
It’s buried in the small type under the post. Look for “leave a comment” mixed in with a bunch of other stuff. Thanks so much!
Now it says “2 Comments.” Click on those words and it will take you to the box. Hope that helps. 🙂
Ah ha! I’ll check it out next time I am over your way.
Where are you?
Sorry. Misread your comment. I thought you said you were over my way. Silly me.
Yes, I meant over to your blog.
Pingback: Strong vs Weak Words – Part 10 « Robin Coyle
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Oh, yes! The word ‘just’ is always sneaking into my work. Another word that sneaks in there, typically in dialogue is ‘Well’ as in: “Well, you know you told her to do it.” I am sure there are others…can’t think of them right now.
It is funny you should bring up “well” because that is my next topic right after “all.” Stay tuned!
I have a propensity for “just”
Judging by the comments here, many of us do. We are in excellent company!
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This post could have been just for me. Just one of my many little writing flaws. Thanks, Robin. ~ Lily
Flaws? You? Nope. Just has just got to go though doesn’t it Lily?
After the Hads and Haves I’m happy to report that Just has been on my *seek and destroy* list for a while. Exterminate!
Excellent Pete!
Oops! I just saw above. The actor was right, but the title was just wrong. Just as well, though, I try not to excel at useless trivia!
Judith – Your blog notices have disappeared again. You’ve been posting, right? I’m off to investigate the problem.
Yes, I’m posting — just posted one about ten minutes ago. Let me know if I need to do something.
It was Airport, wasn’t it? Leslie Nielson?
You are correct! That movie is JUST a crack-up!
I know its wrong, but it seems so right… I just have to stop!
Ops…I have to stop!
Hi Maggie – Many of us are guilty of this one even though we know we overuse it.
I use the word “just” way too often. It’s one of the first things I look for when going through a first draft. 😉
Isn’t it funny how it sneaks in when you are looking?
It just doesn’t seem right. I’ve no idea how often I use that word.
I JUST don’t know how to respond.
Ah,”just”. Overused in writing but more so in the work place. My alarm bells go off when a colleague asks me “Can you JUST…”
Sweet Ella Dee . . . JUST fingernails on the chalkboard, eh? I may never use the word again. Oops. didn’t I do a post about not using the word NEVER? In this case, it is true.
Just is a killer for me. That isn’t though. I’m working on cutting it almost completely out.
Love these posts. Bad habits creep up and GROW on you. Someone must rein them in. Great job, Robin.
So sweet of you to say Tess. I worry that I am annoying. Since I am guilty on using these words, I hope it doesn’t sound like I am preaching down from on high.
Did you see my note about your spam problem?
I am afraid to think of how many I have. It’s a habit.
Did you do a search? They are easy to fix. Mostly it is “just” hit delete! Funny. Are we going to start putting just in quotation marks now?
Not yet, but I will let you know how many I had before I hit delete. It will be large.
Damn sneaky little words. Keep me posted Sarah.
I always do a word search for the word ‘just’ when I’m done with a chapter. I think we’re so used to using it in daily speaking and talking, it JUST comes out. 😉
Isn’t that “just: the truth.
I just wanted to say: great post. This is one I may never obliterate entirely. It’s probably along the lines of anyone who grew up during the Valley Girl ’80s… “like” crops up too often, too. Eeek.
My mom has always been addicted to Airplane. Totally remember this one.
Oh, and loved the part about “having just one glass of wine.” Hilarious!
I think I would get along famously with your mom. I haven’t watched Airplane in years but plan to put it on my Netflix queue.
“Just” and “Like” are tough old buggers. Easy to find but “just” as easy to nuke when found.
Hope you are drinking a glass of wine while you read my response to your comment!
I over use just. When I take it out everything flows that little bit better.
And it felt right when you first typed it in, right? When gonzo – much better.
If you type in a comment and then just click the x no one knows you said anything.
I’m sorry Blurt. What?
I typed a comment and closed the window instead of adding my comment. Sorry, it was one of those adventures I was the only one there for.
I did a “seek and destroy” on this one before sending “Death” out for a beta read. Some had to stay in, again in dialogue. Real people just say just sometimes! 🙂
When I speaking, I now hear how often I say “just.” Is it the world’s new “like?” I’m “just’ saying . . .
Hi,
I JUST loved the post. 😀
Ha ha! That JUST made me laugh.
Oh, good Lord. This is my worst one yet. Three justs on the first page alone. Yikes! Thanks for pointing out another weak word I need to say bye-bye to.
Oh, and I loved the movie “Airplane.” Haven’t thought of that in years. 🙂
In one paragraph I used “just” six times. Geez.
We haven’t watched Airplane in years. Maybe it is “just” time to put it on our Netflix queue.
this word pops up in every MS I write and I have to delete 80% of them. Annoying little sucker. Do I really use it that often when I speak? No, but when I write, my brain loves to insert it. Bad brain. Bad brain. 🙂
Annoying is right. I would have sworn I wasn’t an offender until I did a search for them.
Leslie Nielsen…. Airplane !
Bingo! We have a winner!
What’s my prize?
The opportunity to read my newly edited manuscript – minus the “justs.”