You are halfway through a paragraph when you realize you’re using the same word again and again: says, says, says. A few tenses ago, it was said, said, said. It’s bland, so you open up a search bar and look for synonyms for says. Alternatives to “says” only do half a job, though. They don’t…
Calling somebody kind is never wrong. It’s often vague, though. Think about a neighbour bringing you soup when you’re sick, a boss telling you when you’ve made a mistake in a way that doesn’t make you feel stupid, and a stranger giving up their seat on the bus. Each is kind, but in very different…
“Help” is a very versatile word. We use it when we need assistance, when we offer our services, when we express gratitude for aid provided, or when we read instructions. Due to its extreme versatility, “help” tends to be overused, and a description with multiple instances of this word may sound bland. Luckily, there are…
The word ‘cool’ has few equivalents that do the same work in English: it may refer to a garment, a companion, a draught, a scheme, or even a state of mind. As such, it is one of those words which we tend to use most often and yet find hardest to define clearly enough to…
Most writers use overused terms and words. One such word is nuances. Its presence in the text does not always bring added value or depth. It may sound correct and educated, so people often use it in essays, reports, reviews, and even the workplace. The best thing about this guide is that it offers a…
” Better” is one of those words you learn early on, but rarely use later in life. It’s versatile, fitting in many places: a better phone plan, a better grade, a better mood, being better at something. Which is also part of the issue. The word is so widely applicable that it can often confuse…
Few words get used as much, and abused as much, as ‘new’. New phone, new idea, new city, new job, new year- all use the same word, but all are new in a slightly different way. The phone is new, unused. The idea is novel. The city is unfamiliar. The job is a fresh start….
Consider the last time you used the word crazy. Perhaps it was in reference to a hectic week at work, your friend’s latest idea, a ridiculous price tag, or your favorite song. Same word. Four different meanings. It’s for this reason that we’re here. Crazy is a word that sounds great on paper, but fails…
Read through any draft you have written and count how many times you have used the word ‘people’. You’ll find it has been used extensively and in a variety of places, from emails through to product descriptions. The reason for this is that it’s a safe, short, and effective word that rarely needs defining. The…
“Support” is one of the most versatile words in the English language, which is part of why it’s one of the most abused. A manager supports a team. A beam supports a roof. A study supports a theory. A friend supports you through a difficult month. The same word applies to all of these examples…