Free AI web copilot to create summaries, insights and extended knowledge, download it at here

Abstract

dog stuff.</li></ul>Does the word stuff have the same meaning?Man, I hope not.Instead, one should say:<ul><li>I bought some groceries at the store.</li><li>I stepped in some dog droppings.</li></ul>See, don’t those sentences sound much more detailed?By eliminating them from your vocabulary, you’re on the path to become a better writer.<h1 id="4d46">They’re Too Boring</h1>It’s easy for a reader to grow bored with a piece of writing. If it happens, it’s even worse for the writer.That’s why it’s vital to write more exciting words. By doing so, don’t ever use, things, a lot and stuff.For example, one might say.<ul><li>There are some things I want to discuss.</li><li>I listen to all types of things on the radio.</li></ul>Those shouldn’t even be sentences. Instead, they should sound like this:

Options

<ul><li>There are some topics I want to discuss.</li><li>I listen to a variety of bands on the radio.</li></ul>See, don’t those sound so much better?An example like this works too.<ul><li>I have a lot of students in my class.</li><li>I have a lot of work to do.</li></ul>Instead, they should be.<ul><li>I have over 30 students in my class.</li><li>I have four assignments I need to do.</li></ul>Again, they read much better.<h1 id="6ab4">Closing Thoughts</h1>If there’s anything that I remember from my seventh grade English teacher, it’s to never use the words things, a lot, and stuff.They make a piece of writing boring and unappealing. And no one wants to read or write those words.Next time you write, practice not using these words. They’ve helped me in my writing journey this far, and I know they will help you too.</article></body>

3 Words My English Teacher Told Me Never to Use

Boy, was she right.

My seventh-grade English teacher opened my eyes with the one writing trick she engrained in our minds. Don’t use these 3 words:

Things
A lot
Stuff

Don’t use them at all. EVER.

I couldn’t tell you how many times she stressed this rule, but she did so every day. And it’s made me a better writer.

Here’s the reasoning behind her madness:

These Words Are Too Vague

In other words, these words can be used in many ways.

For example, one might say.

I bought some stuff at the store.
I just stepped in some dog stuff.

Does the word stuff have the same meaning?

Man, I hope not.

Instead, one should say:

I bought some groceries at the store.
I stepped in some dog droppings.

See, don’t those sentences sound much more detailed?

By eliminating them from your vocabulary, you’re on the path to become a better writer.

They’re Too Boring

It’s easy for a reader to grow bored with a piece of writing. If it happens, it’s even worse for the writer.

That’s why it’s vital to write more exciting words. By doing so, don’t ever use, things, a lot and stuff.

For example, one might say.

There are some things I want to discuss.
I listen to all types of things on the radio.

Those shouldn’t even be sentences. Instead, they should sound like this:

There are some topics I want to discuss.
I listen to a variety of bands on the radio.

See, don’t those sound so much better?

An example like this works too.

I have a lot of students in my class.
I have a lot of work to do.

Instead, they should be.

I have over 30 students in my class.
I have four assignments I need to do.

Again, they read much better.

Closing Thoughts

If there’s anything that I remember from my seventh grade English teacher, it’s to never use the words things, a lot, and stuff.

They make a piece of writing boring and unappealing. And no one wants to read or write those words.

Next time you write, practice not using these words. They’ve helped me in my writing journey this far, and I know they will help you too.