I feel so used.
Today’s weak word is “use” and its cousins “used” and “using.”
I use big words when I write blog posts.
And you make my head spin.
My blog readers need a dictionary by their side when they read my posts.
~~~~~
I used big words in my blog posts until my followers un-followed me.
Really? All two of them?
My intellect scared off my followers.
~~~~~
By using big words in my blog posts, I sound smart.
He he he.
Big words in your blog posts makes you sound like a jerk.
“Use,” “used,” and “using” were not serial offenders in my manuscript, but when I didn’t “use” them . . . I mean, when I edited them out, the sentences packed more punch.
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
- Strong vs Weak Words – Part 8 for the word JUST
- Strong vs Weak Words – Part 9 for the word ALL
- Strong vs Weak Words – Part 10 for INDEFINITE NUMBERS
- Moldy Verbs, Adverbs, and Intensifiers
Robin Coyle 
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I just hope none of those punches hit anyone in the face. lol
I have the black eye to prove they do!
Oh, no! However, we need evidence, like a good picture of that black eye. In color, although I guess black & white would do. lol
It isn’t pretty so I’m not sharing.
That means you’ll get ten times the likes and comments! lol
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Robin, I just love your writing style, I really do. You make these tips so much fun and so accessible. Not only do your words make sense, make me smile; your picture also really tickled me! 🙂
You should have these tips turned into a proper book. It would be very useful and I’ll bet it would make good sales. 🙂
How sweet of you to say! Yup – that photo is funny. I think I might paint it on my garbage can.
I’ve thought about turning this series into a book. I haven’t seen anything else like it. Sure, many books have sections that touch on overused words, but not as in depth as I see my book could be. I am learning as I go in deep edits on my book. My eye now sees often repeated words and most of the time, it signals a weakness.
Go for it, girl! Seriously! 🙂
In my country our politicians must google translate because English is one of 11 official languages and is the language used in parliament. Some of the c**p these guys spout is hilarious.
As in big words?
…and “youse”, bogan slang for plural of you – pronounced yooz 😉
Brilliant Ella Dee. Brilliant. How about yeuts from “My Cousin Vinny”?
My “seek and destroy” list is growing! 🙂
Oh yeah, or should I say, “so sorry.”
You know what irks me? When people say/write “utilize” instead of “use,” as if they’re interchangeable, or as if “utilize” is just a fancier way of saying “use.” So I’m glad you’re not utilizing the word “use” that way.
That one bugs me too! I yell at the TV when anyone “utilizes” it. Argh!
Hi,
I just love the photo and message on the rubbish bin, that was a very good find. 🙂
The sentence does sound better when you removed the words “By using”.
I hit the google jackpot on that one.
Grrrr. I’m sure I’ve USED plenty of “uses.” When I go back over it, I’m sure it will improve my WIP to remove them. Thanks.
Now, now. No growling at the messenger.
Let me know what you find!
Pheww! Only 14 of these babies in my manuscript. Thanks for another USEful tip. 🙂
I want to hear if you edit them out. If you do, is the sentence(s) better?
I didn’t spend enough time to do that yet. But I shall add it to my list. 🙂
I merely deleted many of my “uses” because the sentence didn’t need it. I reworked the other sentences. In a few cases, I deleted the whole sentence because I saw it wasn’t great writing.
Damn. Another one to check 🙂
Sorry Pete. I’m here to torture.
🙂 And help, of course!
But of course.
The image in this post is used well. 🙂
Ha ha. Good one. Ya’ got me.