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Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/25798
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/25798
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Everyone has their pet phrases and turns of phrase. That in itself does not matter much. What matters is whether you are expressing repetitive or monotonous ideas.

Yes, you can go in and insert synonyms for words you use frequently, but if the real problem is that your ideas are repetitive, that is just lipstick on a pig.

On the other hand, if the ideas are original and not repetitive, it really does not matter if certain words are being used frequently. People are not reading you for your words, but for your idea.

If repetitive words are a symptom or repetitive ideas, then focus on fixing the ideas. If the ideas are fine, don't worry too much about the words. It is better to use the plainest and most natural word for an idea than it is to make your prose purple with needless variation.

This is part of a bigger pattern, by the way. Words are the canary in the coal mine. They are often the first indication that something is wrong structurally. Too many people get hung up on trying to fix the words, but no amount of tinkering with language will fix a structural problem. People would waste a lot less time and effort if they looked for the structural problems first instead of last.

Original score: 4