The Words Not to Use if You Want to Look Like a Professional Writer

Writing is an art that takes years to master. As an aspiring author, it’s important to present yourself as a professional if you want your work to be taken seriously. While strong storytelling skills are essential, you also need to pay close attention to the actual words you put on the page. There are certain words and phrases that can make your writing seem amateurish, clichéd or dull. Avoiding these language pitfalls is a key step in developing a polished, sophisticated writing style.

In this column, I’ll highlight some of the top words and phrases professional writers avoid, and explain why you’re better off steering clear of them.

Using “Very” and “Really” as Intensifiers

When you want to emphasize a point, it can be tempting to add words like “very” or “really” to stress the extent of something. For example, “She was very unhappy with the situation.” But overusing these generic intensifiers waters down your writing. Relying on “very” and “really” suggests you haven’t taken the time to think of a more evocative way to get your point across.

Instead of “very tired,” say “exhausted” or “spent.” Rather than “really hot,” describe it as “sweltering” or “blisteringly hot.” Discovering new verbs and adjectives will make your descriptions pop. Save “really” for conversational dialogue, and avoid peppering it throughout narrative or formal writing.

Leaning on Clichés and Cliched Descriptors

“Hard as nails.” “Cute as a button.” “Tough as old boots.” Clichéd idiomatic expressions may sound familiar, but they indicate lazy, unoriginal writing. The phrases are so overused, they’ve lost any impact on readers.

The same goes for clichéd descriptors like “gorgeous,” “kindhearted,” “brilliant,” or “devastatingly handsome.” Find fresh ways to characterize people and capture personalities that avoid generic terms. For example, you could show a character’s brilliance through their quick wit and astute observations rather than flatly describing them as “brilliant.”

Ditch the exclamation points! And excessive adverbs!

Some fiction authors seem to sprinkle exclamation points and adverbs liberally throughout their writing! But overusing exclamation points for emphasis comes across as amateurish! It also suggests you don’t trust your words to convey excitement! Limit exclamation points to occasional dialogue, and rely on strong verbs and descriptors instead!!!

In the same vein, ditch unnecessary adverbs like “quickly,” “loudly,” “excitedly.” They clutter sentences and tell rather than show. For example, “She slammed the door angrily,” could be rewritten as “She slammed the door with a resounding bang.”

Avoid redundant descriptors

Sometimes authors repeat the same idea using different phrasing like “small in size” or “round in shape.” Since size and shape already imply the meaning, the extra words are redundant. Prune out any repetitive descriptors. For example, rather than “He had a rugged, worn face with rough skin,” simply say “His rugged, worn face was craggy.”

Steer clear of over-the-top language

Some writers try too hard to impress readers with flowery metaphors, elaborate imagery and ornate language. But overwritten prose comes across as trite, not sophisticated. Take care to avoid embellished clichés like “azure sky,” “heart of stone” or “depths of despair.” Fancy words can’t compensate for weak writing. Focus on clean, crisp language instead.

CUT THE CLICHÉS! I know it’s tempting to rely on familiar turns of phrase, but clichéd idioms make your writing seem lazy. Come up with fresh ways to convey your ideas.

And please, put down the exclamation points!!! I know you want to stress key points. But too many exclamation points just undermine your words!!! Use vivid verbs, description and dialogue to captivate readers instead!!!!

Well, that got a little meta and tongue-in-cheek, but hopefully this overview gives you a sense of words and writing styles to avoid if you want to present a polished, professional image. Remember to:

• Use strong verbs and precise adjectives instead of “very” and “really” as intensifiers
• Avoid clichés, clichéd idioms and generic descriptors
• Limit exclamation points only to fits of genuine excitement in dialogue
• Cut unnecessary adverbs that only clutter sentences
• Omit redundant descriptive phrases
• Shun over-the-top flowery language, fancy metaphors and embellished imagery

Mastering powerful but restrained language will elevate your fiction writing style. Scrutinize word choices, pare away flabby phrasing, and present compelling stories in clean, lean prose. Avoiding amateurish language pitfalls takes you one step closer to writing like the pros. Keep refining your craft through practice, and soon your writing will look as professional as the experts’.