Overused words, phrases, and clichés that will weaken your story

Have you ever reread your own writing and found that it came across as flat, or even too familiar or uninspired (and not just because you've read it often)? The problem isn’t usually the characters or plot—it's language. We use certain words, phrases, and clichés all the time in everyday speech, so they easily make their way into our writing because they're simple and comfortable. But for readers, they can dull emotional impact and make even the most exciting scenes feel predictable.

This blog post will identify ten problems with word choice and how to fix them in a way that feels fresh.

1. “Very”

“Very” is one of the most common word crutches in fiction. Writers use it to intensify a weak word, but in most cases, "very" is fluff that can be cut and replaced with a stronger word.

• very tired → exhausted

• very scared → terrified

• very big → massive

• very small → tiny

2. When “suddenly” isn’t actually sudden

“Suddenly” is a favorite word especially for heralding action scenes. But the truth is, if the action is well written, it will feel sudden without the reader being told. In short, "suddenly" distances the reader instead of immersing them. It can usually be left out.

3. Telling emotions instead of showing them

Some commonly used words act like filters (literally, like a barrier). They keep the story on one side and the reader on the other, not allowing the reader to experience and live the story alongside the characters. A few examples:

• felt

• seemed

• realized

• knew

Instead of writing a report to the reader, write an experience:

• She felt scared.→ Her pulse skittered. Her breath caught.

4. Overused dialogue tags

Adverbs, like slowly, angrily, softly, etc., in dialogue tags are often a sign the dialogue and accompanying action beats and description aren't doing enough heavy-lifting. Try this instead:

• “Get out,” he said angrily.→ “Get out.” He slammed the door behind him.

  
  

5. Using clichés that kill originality

We've all seen these phrases a thousand times (and probably used them in our writing):

• heart pounding

• cold as ice

• white as a ghost

• butterflies in her stomach

• dead silence

  
  

It's not that using clichés is wrong but these phrases are so overused that they are forgettable. Replacing clichés requires thinking about the image you want to convey and choosing a stronger, more specific combination of wording to show it. Specificity is what creates memorability and originality.

6. Generic verbs doing too much work

Certain verbs are vague and thus weaken writing. Words like:

• went

• looked

• made

• got

They can often be replaced with a stronger word that will drive the energy of the moment or they can be left out entirely without changing meaning.

• She went across the room.→ She crossed the room.→ She slipped across the room.→ She stormed across the room.

7. Repetitive physical reactions

Writers often default to familiar emotional cues:

• shrugged

• sighed

• nodded

• rolled his eyes

  
  

Used occasionally, they’re fine. Overused, they become invisible and meaningless. Of course, take care not to overuse emotional cues and character quirks (like lifting an eyebrow or rubbing a nose or chin) that may not be overused in the sense of the other words but could become so when used repetitively within one manuscript.

Expanding your range and allowing for a variety of reactions and actions from characters can help avoid this. Variety will keep characters feeling real.

8. “There was / There were” openings

There is a time and place for there was/were or there is/are (see what I did there?), but in a lot of cases, this construction will distance the reader:

• There was a man standing in the doorway. → A man stood in the doorway.

A direct sentence is stronger and more immediate, placing the reader directly in the scene.

9. Words that soften your writing

Some words can dilute your prose, like:

• just

• really

• almost

• a bit

• kind of

There is usually a more direct way to say what you mean without these words. Confidence in word choice will create a stronger tone.

• She was just a little nervous.→ She was nervous.→ Her hands wouldn’t stop shaking.

10. Overused intensifiers in description

Beyond “very,” writers often lean on intensifiers like:

• extremely

• incredibly

• unbelievably

• totally

• completely

Intensifiers tell the reader how strong something is instead of demonstrating or showing it. Using more varied word choice can sharpen the imagery.

• The room was incredibly dark.→ The room swallowed the light.

• She was extremely angry.→ Heat climbed her neck. Her hands curled into fists.

Final thoughts

Not every overused or cliché word or phrase needs to be eliminated. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s awareness.

When revising, ask yourself:

• Can I make this description more specific?

• Can I replace this word with a stronger verb?

• Am I telling instead of showing?

• Have I seen this phrase a hundred times before?

  
  

If the answer is yes, it’s an opportunity to elevate your writing. It's not about using bigger words but about using better ones.