Grisly Murder. Is There Another Kind?

Redundancies plague our writing. I know I say you should write the way you speak, but one thing creeps up when we speak that we should avoid -- redundant words. It's your job to purge them before you hit the send button.

We know about very, about incredibly. We should describe the action, rather than lean on these words. But there are words that are so present in our lexicon, that it feels odd to take them out.

Consider "total" and "totally." "The house cost a total of $250,000." Really? Is there something other than "a total" when you talk about numbers? There are rare exceptions, of course. Sometimes, you need to clarify because you have a multitude of numbers. But question the use of "total" every time you write it.

My favorite: "grisly murder." Is there another kind of murder? Lawyers love it. You don't need to write it.

Redundant Words: Still, Currently, Really

Three words have come across my laptop that beg discussion: still, currently and really.

Every once in a while, they are needed -- but rarely. Usually, the previous sentence makes it clear that your topic is current. Also, the tense of your verb alerts the reader.

"John is currently in the process of finding a job." Actually, you don't even need "in the process." Just say: "John searches for a job."

In the same way, "still" is usually redundant.

"John still searches for a job." An exception would be: "John has interviewed with 10 companies. Still, he searches for a job." "Still" is used for emphasis in this case, and builds on the previous sentence.

On "really." Not: "John was really happy to find a job." Instead: "John was ecstatic to find a job." Tighten your sentence with a descriptive verb.

Watch for these words. Do you need them?

Five Words To Avoid

For tighter, brighter copy, look for redundancy. Losing these words brings you closer to that goal.

1) Being. This word encourages an inactive voice. "Being a happy man, John loved flowers, sunshine and cute puppies." This sentence can survive without the word "being."

2) Is. You've heard it, you know it, but you can't stay away from that darn word. With a little restructuring, you can create a sharper sentence. "John is happy to be alive. He relishes fine wine and kite flying" becomes: "Happy to be alive, John relishes..."

3) Very. Do you really need it? "John incorporated some very basic rules toward living a better life." Does it change the sentence to take "very" out?

4) Some. See above.

5) Of. "John Smith of Austin was full of life. Try this: "Austin's John Smith was full of life."