Tags
editing, editing tips, Overused Words, Self-editing, Strong vs Weak Words, Strong Words, Weak Words, writers, writing
The four members of Pink Floyd. I guess we all age. Sigh. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
This post will have Pink Floyd’s song “Time” stuck in your head. Sorry.
“Time” is one of those words that is fine. But could it be better? Let’s see.
I read Robin’s old blog posts to pass the time.
You need to get a life.
Reading Robin’s old blog posts helps fill the void in my sad little life.
~~~~~
Robin puts in extra time at her computer so her blog is error-free.
Well, she failed in that regard, didn’t she?
(Did you notice I slipped a “so” in the above sentence?)
Robin toils at her computer to insure her blog ain’t got no errors.
~~~~~
By spending time at the computer, Robin improves her writing every day.
She needs to spend waaaay more time at the computer.
Robin wastes hours at the keyboard. Her writing never improves.
~~~~~
Robin’s time in writing class was worth it.
Nope. It wasn’t.
When Robin signed up for the writing class, her teacher resigned.
~~~~~
Robin checked the time so she wouldn’t be late for class.
She should skip class. It is no use.
(Did you notice I slipped a “so” in the sentence above as well?)
Robin checked her watch and because she was 20 minutes late for class, she drove to Taco Bell instead.
~~~~~
I loved Robin the first time we met.
Wait. Whoa. Hold on. Robin Coyle?
Robin annoyed me when we met.
Robin Coyle 
I had the time of my life… thanks 😉
You are so stinking funny.
I would not have seen ‘time’ as a weak word but you changed my mind. Hmm. Thirty more posts ought to cover the remaining strong vs weak words? Yes?
Let’s hope 30 more post does it. But then what will I write about!?!?!?
Reading [any of ] Robin’s … blog posts helps fill the void in my sad little life………lol
I love it when I make you laugh Russel! I see you are camping at my place today. AWESOME!
So, (!) Robin, what’s going to be left when you’re done … are you going to leave us with ANYTHING?
You can use the words kumquat, loquacious, and peppermint. That it is. Let me know how it goes.
LOL! The kumquat was dull as a doorknob – not like the loquacious peppermint that wouln’t shut up. Not very good I know but it was on short notice.
No! That was brilliant. Pulitzer-worthy/.
Very timely I must say.
Yuk, yuk, yuk.
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So (sorry) what you’re saying is to use less ‘time’ in our writing?
Yes, I say that from time to time.
SOS!
I am so guilty of peppering my writing with ‘so’s.
“So,” you fine that “so” slips in unnoticed, eh? Since you yelled “SOS,” I’ll send in the Navy.
That’s an interesting one. As others have commented, it doesn’t immediately strike as a weak word – it’s a cheeky one isn’t it, parading around as a strong word like it owns the place!
You made me laugh. “Time” is rather a cocky word and tries to hang out with the cool words.
Finally! A bad word habit I DON’T have!
And you have to admit, even if the PF guys are getting older, the years have been most kind to them.
Good for you! How did you manage that?
We saw Pink Floyd in concert years ago. There was so much marijuana smoke around us I think we would have tested positive. Great concert tho. And you are right . . . they don’t look too bad.
I think it’s only because I’m not a fiction writer, I write nonfiction history. So the time in my stuff has to be more precise, I have to go by years or months or whatever. But if I were a fiction writer, all bets would be off.
And I’d still take David Gilmour even now.
That makes sense.
Time has been kind to David.
I am sorry for this — but this was a very timely article–could not help myself – it is close to midnight here – the full moon made me do it
Ha ha! Timely, indeed.
What are you doing up so late!?
had to pick my son up from work at 11 p.m.
This is one of those words which depends on context. If it is used as a general term (e.g. first example above) then it needs changing in most instances. If it is used for a more specific meaning e.g. in a time travel story, then it is more likely ok.
Time to end this comment I think.
Yup . . . it stays or goes depending on the context.
Time to end my reply . . .
Those old dudes can still play!
Can’t help myself here . . . their music is “timeless.” Sorry.
Huh, I never really thought of “time” as weak, but I see that being specific makes for stronger writing of hours, minutes, events, etc. Thanks, Robin. ~ Lily
I never thought of time as being weak either, but I think it falls into the category of “indefinite numbers” . . . some, a few, many, etc. Sounds strong, but when you can define “time,” the sentence is better!
Absolutely! Specific vs. vague. Thanks, Robin! ~ Lily
Thinking about my lame examples, I could have said, “four hours at the computer” instead of hours, or some such thing.
I’d better not.
“I’d better not,” what?
So… I’m thinking I’d better not make some smart remark, so I won’t… this time.
Oh please . . . come on! I love smart remarks. I think . . . should I be afraid? Go for it!
😛
There’s no time like the present to check it out.
My novel jumps back and forth between present-day and the early ’90s… I’m betting I’ll find a few “times” in there.
And you probably need to use “time” from “time to time.”
Now, I would never have guessed ‘time’ could be a weak word sometimes…oops, I mean, often. 🙂
I didn’t know time was a minor weak word until I realized I used it “so” many times . . . er, often.
Well, since I’m writing about time travel in one manuscript, many of them will be staying!
Yup . . . “time” needs to stay!
LOL
Yet another word to be dispensed to the round file…
Maybe so, maybe not. I had 196 and reduced the “times” to 151. That is quite a few nixed, but there are many that stayed. I may look at “time” again. I find I learn how to reword things the farther I get into the manuscript. When I go back through the WIP, I am armed with techniques.
Did that make any sense at all?
Well. It’s about time this topic received a little face time.
Ha ha! Good one.
What happens if I am writing a story about a time machine? Should I refer to it as my 4th dimension machine instead, or perhaps my bygone moment machine? 😛
You are funny. 4th dimension machine is a tad awkward. I’d stick with time machine. Rolls off the tongue.
It’s probably for the best that I am not writing a time machine novel then. Having said that, I want to now. 😦
If you scroll up, you will see JMMcdowell IS writing a novel about time travel. Maybe you two should chat!
I was going to post a comment, but sorry–no time.
Won’t you make “time” for little ol’ me?
Anytime.
Ha ha ha.