Comments on: Writer's Wednesday : Weed words.

By: Sharon

Sharon — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 19:01:30 +0000

Oh� wow, this post is like the very best thing and something that will really help my writing very very much!!!!

Seriously, one weed word few people ever see as such is so common it’s invisible: “the.” A phrase I’ve begun noticing is “there are”� and I constantly encourage people to get the would out of their writing.

I found your great post by googling “weed words.” This is the only one on the first page that isn’t about synonyms for that recreational smoking substance. Nice to find another deviant mind. LOL.

By: Beekeeping

Beekeeping — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 14:29:46 +0000

Looks like you’ve got me there. I often used ‘that’ in my sentences but somehow, I managed to reduce ‘just’ by changing it with “only”, or “simply”. Thanks for the blog, it’s quite helpful.

By: On a Limb w/ Claudia

On a Limb w/ Claudia — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 14:28:56 +0000

TWMark – oooh “Like” is a hard word to weed out. Good point!

By: TWM

TWM — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 12:27:42 +0000

Coordinating subordinating and correlative conjunctions are all on the list of the despised.

But the one I seek and destroy with every bullet in the gun is

LIKE as in the fence was LIKE snaggly teeth

By: On a Limb w/ Claudia

On a Limb w/ Claudia — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 04:36:46 +0000

Kwana – “Taking it in” seems so specific. I wonder what it means to you. Good catch though!

By: Kwana

Kwana — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 02:19:10 +0000

I’m not sure. I need to check with my crit partner. I do think just is one of then though and “taking it in” is a problem for me. Not a word but a saying.

By: On a Limb w/ Claudia

On a Limb w/ Claudia — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 22:41:57 +0000

Abimbola – *applause* Maybe you don’t have one! That’s cool!

Zoiks – Wow, ‘this’?! I’ve never checked to see if I use it a lot or a little. Isn’t it funny how individuals have these preferences and have so much influence?

Reika – I’ve done that for a number of manuscripts – taped them even. It’s a great tool!

By: Reika

Reika — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 22:41:40 +0000

I haven’t noticed any particular Weed Words, but some repetition does occur, especially if you’re in the flow of things and not editing as you go (never a good idea anyway). My trick is to read my writing out loud; I catch a LOT of errors that way.

By: Zoiks

Zoiks — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 22:38:52 +0000

I had a high school English teacher who would give papers an F if the word “this” made it to the page. I find myself rooting just that this out consistently.

By: Abimbola Akanwo

Abimbola Akanwo — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 21:59:12 +0000

Unaware of any weed word…nor concious of any rule/ideas

Guess I need to be more observant…