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a considerable amount of much a large number of many a lot of Often obsolete, should sometimes be replaced by "many" a majority of most a man who a matter of concern (cliche, avoid) a need for need a number of many, several a particular preference for a small number of few a tendency to ability to about which ! absolutely complete complete absolutely essential essential accomplish do accomplished did accounted for by the fact that caused by actually adequate (weak definition) adequate enough (weak definition) administrate administer affect "Affect" means "have an influence on", "produce an effect on", "concern", "effect a change in"; compare with "effect": "bring about", "cause", "produce, "result in." affected = affect affective "affective" or "effective"? after which ! all right (avoid) all things being equal (cliche, avoid) allude (an allusion is an indirect reference, while a reference is a direct reference) alluded = allude allusion = allude along the line (avoid) along the line of like (or omit) along the lines (avoid) along the lines of like (or omit) along these lines (overworked phrase, avoid) along those lines (avoid) alternate Alternative refers to choosing the other of two possibilities. Alternate refers to another element of a set, without connoting choice. alternative = alternate among Choose "between" 2 options and "among" 3 or more. an example of this is the fact that thus an indication of an order of magnitude faster 10 times faster and/or (avoid) anticipate Use "expect" for simple predictions and "anticipate" for more complex actions in advance of an event. anticipated = anticipate apparent that are of the same opinion agree arrive at a arrive at a decision decide as a consequence of because as a last resort (cliche, avoid) as a matter of fact in fact (or omit) as a minimum (weak definition) as a result so as already stated (use active instead of passive voice) as applicable (weak definition) as appropriate (weak definition) as can be seen from shows as good or better than (use "as good as or better than" or possibly rearrange the sentence) as is the case as happens as long as when, if as means of for, to as necessary as of this date today as per as shown in shows that as to about (or omit) as to whether whether as yet (you can often replace with simply "yet," except at the beginning of a sentence) ask the question ask assure (use "assure" with people, "ensure" with things, and "insure" when talking about money) assured = assure assuring = assure at above above at an earlier date previously at below below at present at the present at the present time now at the rate of at the same time as while at this point in time now at this time at which ! attached hereto (cliche, avoid) attempt try authorization avail yourself help based on the fact that because based on the fact, that because basic principles principles basically be able to (weak definition) be capable (weak definition) between (choose "between" 2 options and "among" 3 or more) between which ! bring to a conclusion conclude but not limited to (weak definition) by means of by, with by no means (cliche, avoid) by the use of by by which ! call your attention to the fact that remind you, notify you can (do not confuse with "may") can not (use "cannot" unless you want to put special emphasis on the word "not") capability of (weak definition) capability to (weak definition) carry out case Avoid if used to describe the instance of a situation. certainly Avoid if used to intensify any and every statement. character Often redundant, except when discussing role-playing games. check into check check on check check up on check claim Do not use as substitute for "declare", "maintain" or "charge." clear that clever Greatly overused word, restrict to small matters. clockwise ! collect together collect communicate with talk, telephone, write to comparatively Avoid unless really comparing. compare "Compare" to points out resemblances, "compare with" points out differences. compare with = compare compared = compare compared with = compare comparing = compare comparing with = compare complementary A "complimentary" comment is one which is flattering. A "complementary" comment is one which completes or complements another comment. completely full full complimentary = complementary comprise Only use in the meaning of including something. comprised = comprise comprising = comprise connected together connected consensus of opinion consensus consider Not followed by "as" when it means "believe to be". considered = consider considering = consider conspicious by its absence (cliche, avoid) contact When used as a transitive verb, "contact" is a poor choice. Get in touch with someone, or call them, instead of contacting them. contacted = contact contacting = contact cope Should generally be used along with the word "with". cope with ! coped = cope coped with ! could = can criteria = criterion criterion "Criterion" is singular, "criteria" is plural. currently Often redundant: This program is currently checking your document. data is data are deficiency lack definitely deleterious effect dependable reliable, trustworthy desert "Desert" and "dessert" are sometimes confused, to the delight of the masses. despite the fact that although, though despite the fact, that although, though dessert = desert different than Restrict to introducing a clause and use "different from" else. discontentment discontent disinterest Synonym for "impartial", do not confuse with "uninterested." disinterested = disinterest disinteresting = disinterest doubt but doubt doubtful that due to Synonym for "attributable to", often confused with "through, because of, owing to." due to the fact that because due to the fact, that because during the course of during, while during the time that while each and every one (avoid) easier said than done (cliche, avoid) easy (weak definition) effect = affect effected = effect effecting = effect effective (weak definition) elucidate explain elucidated = elucidate elucidating = elucidate enclosed herewith (cliche, avoid) end result result enormity Restrict to connoting abnormality or something more unusual than mere size. ensure = assure ensured = assure ensuring = assure enter in enter enter into enter enthuse (avoid) enthused = enthuse enthusing = enthuse entirely eliminate eliminate equitable fair essentially etc "Etc" should be avoided in formal writing. etc. Do not use for persons or if "and the rest, and so forth" is insufficient and at the end of lists started with "such as, for example." Avoid in formal writing. evident that exactly equal equal exception of expect = anticipate expect = anticipate expected = anticipate expected = anticipate expecting = anticipate experimentalize experiment fabricate make face up to face facilitate help facilitated = facilitate facilitating = facilitate facility Substitute if you can name the object. fact Restrict use to matters that can be verified. factor "component", "ingredient" or "element" outside mathematical contexts fairly farther "Farther" denotes distance, "further" denotes time or quantity. fewer Use "fewer" for numbers and "less" for quantities. finalise = finalize finalised = finalized finalising = finalizing finalize end (or avoid) finalized = ended (or avoid) finalizing = ending (or avoid) find it interesting to know Avoid first of all first firstly first folks Avoid using "folks", when writing formally, to refer to your family or friends. for the purpose of for for the reason that since, because for the reason, that since, because for this reason since, because for this reason so for which ! for your information formalize Rewrite. fortuitous A fortuitous event has the connotation of being an unexpected accident. fortuitously = fortuitous forward send (if used as verb) from the point of view of for from which fuller A fuller is a hammer for spreading iron. You can't "fill your glass fuller." funny Avoid "funny" when introducing something. Simply introduce it. further = farther give an indication of indicate give encouragement to encourage give rise to cause got to gotten The preferred form of this participle is "got," but it is unpleasant to the ear in either form. gratuitous Synonym for "unearned" or "unwarranted", do not confuse with "free." gratuitously = gratuitous gratuitousness = gratuitous grow Often misused as a transitive verb: You cannot `grow the economy'. In addition, you should not try `to grow the economy', even if you are President Clinton. Instead, you should endeavor to expand the economy, or stimulate economic growth. hardy A "hardy" person can survive hardship. A "hearty" meal is a hourishing one. has the capability of can having regard to about he is a man who he hearty = hardy help but hollow tube tube hopefully Restrict to "with hope", do not confuse with "I hope." Best avoid it. however Means "in whatever way, to whatever extent" inside a sentence and "nevertheless" at the beginning of a sentence. if and when (cliche, avoid) if practical (weak definition) impact Use something more precise, unless you are discussing a physical collision. impacted = impact impacting = impact implied = imply imply Something that is suggested is "implied", whereas something that is deduced is "inferred". implying = imply importantly (avoid) importantly Rewrite. in a hasty manner hastily in a number of cases some in a position to can, may in a satisfactory manner satisfactorily in a very real sense in a sense (or omit) in accordance in all probability probably in an area where where in an effort to to in case if in close proximity close, near in close proximity to close to, near to in color in connection with about, concerning in fact in large measure largely in length in many cases often in my opinion it is not an unjustifiable assumption that I think in number in order to to in point of fact in reference to (cliche, avoid) in reference to concerning, about in regard to = in regards to in regards to as regards, in regard to, about or another simple preposition in relation to toward, to in respect to about in short supply (cliche, avoid) in size in some cases sometimes in spite of the fact that though, although in such a manner in terms of in, for, about (or avoid) in the course of during in the direction of toward in the event in the event that if in the final analysis Avoid by rewriting the sentence. in the foreseeable future (cliche, avoid) in the form of as in the last analysis in the light of the fact that because in the long run (cliche, avoid) in the majority of cases usually, generally in the majority of instances usually, generally in the matter of (cliche, avoid) in the nature of like in the neighborhood of about,approximately,near in the possession of has, have in the vicinity of about,approximately,near in view of the fact that since, as, because in which ! inasmuch as for, as indicative of infamous Synonym for "disreputable and widely known." infamously = infamous infer = imply inferred = imply inferring = imply inflammable Only use as synonym for flammable or combustible. infrequent rare initiate begin, start initiating beginning, starting inside When inside is used as an adverb, add the word "of": I will be there inside of an hour. inside of When inside is used as a preposition, the word "of" is not needed: I walked inside the building. insightful Consider substituting "perceptive". interesting Avoid using "interesting" when introducing something. Simply introduce it. into which ! involve the necessity of demand, require irregardless regardless is defined as is is designed to be is is equipped with has is used to is used to control controls is when Only use to denote time; do not use in definitions. is where Only use to denote place; do not use in definitions. it can be seen that thus, so it has long been known that I haven't bothered to look up the reference. it is apparent that apparently it is believed that I think it is clear that clearly it is considered desirable I or we want to it is doubtful that possibly it is evident that it is of interest to note that it is often the case that often it is suggested that I think it is worth pointing out in this context that note that it may be that I think it may, however, be noted that but it should be noted that note that (or leave out) it stands to reason it stands to reason (cliche, avoid) it was observed in the course of the experiments that we observed it's = "it is" or "its"? its = it's join together join kind of Do not use as substitute for "rather" or "something like." lacked the ability to could not large number of many last but not least (avoid) later on later lay A transitive verb, not to be confused with the intransitive verb "lie". You "lie" down, and you "lay" an egg. However, note that the past tense of ``lie'' is ``lay'': Yesterday, I lay down and laid an egg. lead The past tense of the verb "lead" is "led". leave Do not use as substitute for "let:" Let go of my hand! Let it be! led = lead less Use "less" for quantities and "fewer" for numbers. like Substitute by "as" before phrases or clauses: Our love was beautiful, as love was meant to be. liken Avoid using the verb "liken," it is ugly. likewise ! literal = literally literally Do not use to support exaggeration. little data few data little doubt that loan Only use as a noun. "Lend" is a verb. loath = loathe loathe Only use as a verb, "loath" is an adjective. loose As a verb, it means "to release", but it can also be used as adverb. It is not a tense of "lose." loosed = loose loosing = loose lose out Means less than "lose" because of its commonness. low quantity small quantity majority of most make a make an make an adjustment in adjust manner many and diverse (cliche, avoid) may = Do not confuse with "can". may be that meaningful significant or rewrite, because it is an overused word meaningfully = meaningful memoranda "Memorandum" is singular, "memoranda" is plural. memorandum = memoranda might = can might of might have militate against prohibit minor importance mislead = lead misled = lead momento Use memento instead, even if Webster's claims momento is a word. momentos = momento most Do not use as substitute for "almost." mostly (avoid) much data many data nature Omit if redundant. nauseous Synonym for "sickening", do not confuse with the adjective "sick" or the verb "nauseate." near by near, near at hand, close by, hard by need for needless to say (avoid and consider leaving out what follows) neither Should be followed by "nor" instead of "or". nice Use a more exact word. nor Restrict to following "neither", but do not use instead of "or" in negative expressions. normal (weak definition) not under not unique not until notorious = infamous notorious = infamous notoriously = infamous notwithstanding notwithstanding the fact that although obselete Using obselete as a verb is ugly. obseleted = obselete obseleting = obselete occurrence event of great theoretical and practical importance useful of interest of the opinion that of the same opinion of which ! oftentimes often ofttimes often on a daily basis daily on account of because on behalf of for on the basis of by on the grounds that since, because on the occasion on the order of magnitude of about on the part of by, among, for on the part on on the right track (cliche, avoid) on which ! one When used as a pronoun, it must be used consistently: One must manage one's money carefully. one of the most Do not use at the beginning of a paragraph, best avoid at all because it is an overused phrase. ongoing (avoid) only Put "only" right before the word it modifies. oral = verbal orientated oriented otherwise ! over which ! owing to the fact that since, because par for the course (cliche, avoid) perform do payed "Payed" is only used to refer to extending a rope. The past tense of "pay" is "paid." people Do not use with numbers or as substitute for "public". performed done personal opinion opinion personalize (avoid) personalized = personalize personalizing = personalize personally (avoid) pertaining to about, on phase Do not use as substitute for "aspect, topic". plum Do not confuse the fruit "plum" with "plumbing" a depth. plumb = plum plumed = plum pluming = plum plums = plum please feel free to (cliche, avoid) pooled together pooled possess Do not use as substitute for "have" or "own." possessed = possess possessing = possess powerful Overused, especially in computer industry press releases. precede Synonym for "to come before," do not confuse with "proceed." previous to, prior to before prior to before pursuant to your request (cliche, avoid) presently (do not use as substitute for "now", restrict to synonym for "soon") prestigious (an overused word) preventative preventive principal (a "principle" is a rule, while a "principal" is a person, when used as a noun, or means "chief", when used as an adjective, and the adverb for both words is spelt "principally") principally = principal principals = principal principle = principal principles = principal principlly = principal proceed to provide for (weak definition) put to use in building build put to use in measuring measure quite rather rather than reason is because reason is that, because reason to believe reason why reason refer = allude reference to this referred = allude referring = allude referred to as called regarding the matter of (cliche, avoid) relative to about register up (means less than "register" because of its commonness) regress back = revert back regressed back = revert back regressing back = revert back regretful (do not use as substitute for "regrettable") regretfully = regretful reinitiate start again reinitiated restarted reinitiating restarting relate (do not use as an intransitive verb: "I get along well with my advisor" instead of "I relate well to my advisor") related = relate relating = relate repeat the same repeat the representative of represents requisite required respective respectively revert back ("revert" means "to go back", so this expression is redundant) reverted back = revert back reverting back = revert back rise to secondly second shall (shall is sometimes used with first person pronouns and the future tense. It expresses something you believe will happen, not something that you are determined to do. A drowning man shouts: "I shall drown, no one will save me!") should of should have sight = site sign up (means less than "sign" because of its commonness) site (a "site" is a place, a "sight" is related to "seeing") situation (rewrite) so (do not use as intensifier) so as to to so on ! so that ! sophisticated sort of (do not use as substitute for "rather" or "something like") slowly but surely (cliche, avoid) small concentration low concentration sufficient enough state (if used as a verb, restrict to the meaning of "express fully or clearly") stated = state stating = state still continue continue still continues continues strata = stratum stratum ("stratum" is singular, "strata" is plural) student body students subsequent to after subsequently to = subsequent to succeed in suggested that suggestive of system Frequently used without need. take appropriate take into consideration consider terminate end terminated ended, stopped terminating ending, stopping termination end than (examine sentences containing "than" to insure that they are not missing words: I love my father more than my mother. I love my father more than my mother loves my father. I love my father more than I love my mother) thank you in advance = thanking you in advance thanking you in advance (write "thanking you" or "your attention to this matter would be appreciated" and acknowledge granted favors) the author I the authors we the case that the fact the fact is (avoid) the fact that the fact was (avoid) the foreseeable future soon, the future the fullest possible extent most, completely or fully (or omit) the great majority of most the opinion is advanced that I think the nature the necessity of the order of the point that the reason is because because there is reason to believe I think the question as to whether whether, the question whether the truth is (a bad way to start a sentence) the truth was = the truth is there are (a dead phrase; rewrite the sentence and it will probably improve) there are not many few there is = there are there is no doubt that no doubt, doubtless there was = there are they (do not use as substitute for "each, each one, everybody, every one, anybody, any one, somebody, some one") thirdly third this is a subject which this subject this will acknowledge (cliche, avoid) through the use of by, with through which ! thrust (use sparingly, unless you are writing a romance novel) timely (weak definition) to which ! tortuous ("tortourous" involves torture, while "tortuous" merely involves twist) torturous = tortuous transition (only use as a noun) transitioned = transition transitioning = transition transpire (restrict to "become known", do not confuse with "happen" or "occur") transpired = transpire transpiring = transpire try and ("try" should be followed by an infinitive, not the word "and") try out (means less than "try" because of its commonness) type (do not use as synonym for "kind of") under which ! ultimate last unique ("unique" or "uncommon"?) uniquely = unique uniqueness = unique upon which ! upshot use to ("use to" or "used to"?) used for (used for [...] purposes: used for [...]) utilize use utilize use utilized used utilizing using varying (use "various" if a finite number of constant instances is meant) was of the opinion that believed we are pleased to advice (cliche, avoid) we have insufficient knowledge we don't know we wish to state (cliche, avoid) we wish to thank we thank varying amounts of varying verbal ("verbal" can be either spoken or written down, "oral" refers to the mouth) very (use sparingly; try to use words that are strong in themselves for emphasis) viewpoint point of view (do not use as substitute for "view, opinion") vital important whether (avoid using "or not" after "whether," unless you mean "regardless of whether") whether or not (restrict to synonym for "regardless of whether" else simply use "whether") which (use "that" if clause is restrictive) which was (often superfluous) while (if used as substitute for "and, but" then replace by semicolon, do not use as substitute for "although" as it leads to ambiguity or absurdity, best use it only in the sense of "during the time that") who is (often superfluous) whom (often incorrectly used for "who") will = shall win out (means less than "win" because of its commonness) wish to thank thank with regard to concerning, about (or leave out) with respect to about with a view to to with reference to concerning, about with the exception of except with which ! with the aid of with with the possible exception of except with the result that so, therefore without which ! worth pointing out worth while (restrict to actions, do not use for approval and consider using a stronger word) worthwhile (only apply to actions and consider using a stronger word instead) would (use "should" if used as conditional statement in the first person or for "shall" in indirect quotation after a verb in past tense. Consider omitting it for repeated actions) would of would have would seem to indicate indicates you are hereby adviced (cliche, avoid)inflammable (better use the preferred synonym "flammable", do not confuse with "combustible")ing behavior (avoid the term [...]ing behaviour)unwise (avoid words that end in -unwise)wise (avoid words that end in -wise)
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