Avoided and Repeated Words List

I’ve been working on a editing style guide for my works. A style guide is a book that contains principles and tips for editing, both in a big picture way, and from line to line. Most of my style guide pertains to my own writing quirks and problems, but I thought I’d share with you my lists of words to avoid or to check for repetition.

Feel free to copy it, and add your own problem words.

Repeated Words List

These are words that are easily overused.

nodded
smiled
shrugged
frowned
seemed
that
different
shrugged
… (ellipses)
; (semi-colons)
- (hyphens, unless proofreading justified text)

 Avoided Words List

just
so
very
maybe
possibly
could
might
guess
apparently
literally
can be
well
mostly
may
though
just
because
really
seemed
shrugged
think
thought
know
knew
believe
feel
figured
decide
see
saw
look

Common Typos

the the
“” (double quotes
and and
.. (double periods)
Double spaces
teh
your – you’re
a – an – and
they’re – their – there
to – too – two

Related Posts:

Brain Game – Creating Useable Ideas, pt. 7
Live the Process – Creating Useable Ideas, pt. 6
Level Up – Coming Up With Useable Ideas, pt. 5

Original article: Avoided and Repeated Words List.

If you would like to receive freebies, discounts, and updates about new books, sign up for my newsletter at the top right of my website.