Have you succombed to the epidemic of crutch words?

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   Mighty Momposted 12 years ago

   Ok, all you Hub Pages WRITERS. Fess up on which of these crutch words you're guilty of using on a regular basis?
   
   I admit, I start way too many sentences with So....
   How about you?
   
   
   http://www.theatlanticwire.com/entertai … rds/56748/

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      Uninvited Writerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I find I use the word "will" an awful lot when describing upcoming events.

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   livewithrichardposted 12 years ago

   Haha... very interesting... I think I probably use "As a matter of fact" a little too much.

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   hoppedposted 12 years ago

   This may not quite fit, but I like to double up on adjectives.  He isn't the witty writer, he's the witty, clever writer.  It isn't an exciting moment, it's an exciting, delightful moment. I just noticed in the Hub I'm drafting right now that I've done this three times in one sentence!

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      Mighty Momposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Adjective mania ... catch it!
      

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         Barbara Kayposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         According to Stephen King, we should try to cut most words that end in ly and the word very. I catch myself making these two mistakes the most.

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            hoppedposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            I don't mind ly words, personally (see what I did there?) though I'm obviously not a writer of Stephen King's caliber.
            
            I do have to agree with "very," though.  For an amplifying word, it's surprisingly weak sounding.

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               Mighty Momposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               That is very sound advice.
               A good way to remember it is to think of Stephen King and imagine some gruesome Kingian fate will befall us if we overuse "ly" words.
               Be afraid. Be very afraid.
               Oops.
               Just be afraid.
               

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                  hoppedposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  Man, I hope my car and/or clown and/or dead pet and/or high school classmate don't come to get me!

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                     Mighty Momposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                     OMG.
                     That's IT! (pun originally not intended, but why not, eh?)
                     When I feel tempted by excessive adverbs I will mentally think of Pennywise.
                     *shudder*
                     
                     Ha ha!
                     Stay safe, hopped!
                     MM

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   JayeWisdomposted 12 years ago

   My over-used word is "however," which I let myself freely use in forums. I allow myself one "however" in a fictional story or article, but sometimes find another that "sneaked in while I wasn't paying attention" when I proofread it. Then I have to brutally cut it out, even though I love that word!  :  ) 
   
   All writers have some of these favorite "padding" words, even best-selling authors. It's fun when reading one of their books to watch for them!

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