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Abstract

ally need the writer to help them sort through the clutter.</p><p id="431b">So, we get a plethora of plethoras. The word itself is fine — it’s just a word — but perhaps it’s time to put it on the shelf for a few decades, then bring it back once everyone’s forgotten about it.</p><h2 id="5fe7">You May Be Wondering…</h2><p id="c3e4">Crafting a smooth article introduction is tough, which is why some writers latch on to a phrase like “you may be wondering” and insert it in the middle of every intro section that they write.</p><p id="0b54">“If your old shoelaces are falling apart and smell like moldy feet, you may be wondering if it’s possible to score some new ones without buying a whole new pair of shoes.”</p><p id="9860">Next, the writer breaks the big news: It is possible! All of your dreams are about to come true.</p><p id="04ec">“You may be wondering” offers to take readers on an awkward little dance that the writer is leading when there’s probably a more direct way to simply say what needs to be said.</p><p id="9d55">More importantly, the exact wording of this phrase is used over and over again in blog articles. When that’s the case, writers need to freshen up their material and develop a few new tricks.</p><h2 id="7837">Today</h2><p id="104e">“Today” is commonly used at the start or end of articles.</p><p id="e994">In intro sections, writers sometimes announce what they’re going to be discussing “today.” This isn’t the worst way to get the ball rolling, but it’s not exactly accurate.</p><p id="e7b1">In this announcement-style context, “today” typically literally refers to the present day. However, blog articles are meant to be read by different people on different days. An article isn’t a live conversation, so there really isn’t a unifying concept of “today.”</p><p id="a14b">That being said, it’s a gray area. If you like today in your intros, you can probably make it work.</p><p id="6db2">Likewise, closing an article with a today-based call to action can work too — but you have to make it fit. Don’t simply tell the reader what you want them to and slap the word “today” on there.</p><p id="67ba">Today is okay when referring to actions that can actually be completed today. If you want the reader to do something like book an appointment, today is a reasonable time frame. If your call to action encompasses a grand or long-term process, then you don’t need to include “today.” No

Options

body reads a real estate article and then rushes out to “buy their dream home today!”</p><h2 id="20a6">In the World of…</h2><p id="0ea9">It’s only appropriate to refer to the “world of” concepts or items that are vast and complex.</p><p id="72aa">The world of politics, the world of e-commerce, the world of psychology… those are all fine.</p><p id="d381">The world of toothpicks? Take a step back.</p><h2 id="af1a">Not All ___ Are Created Equal</h2><p id="c804">“Not all ___ are created equal” is sometimes paired with “in the world of…” or similar setups.</p><p id="a409">It’s not an awful way to frame a comparison, but it’s overused.</p><p id="67d7">Here’s an example of the appropriate use of this phrase:</p><p id="dee6">“Even within the same lumber batch, not all boards are created equal. Before buying, inspect each board for common defects such as knots or cracks.”</p><p id="91c1">Would it be easy for someone who doesn’t often shop for lumber to mistakenly think that all boards are more or less the same? Sure. So, it’s okay to note that they aren’t.</p><p id="0a63">The phrase is less helpful when it’s simply used as a boast about a product that you’re selling, e.g. “You might be tempted to buy any old shoelace, but they aren’t all created equal!”</p><p id="cdf1">In most cases, pointing out that a set of options “aren’t equal” is an instance of stating the obvious. Save this overused phrase for moments when it can be genuinely used to inform your readers</p><h2 id="afcd">Avoiding Overused Words and Phrases</h2><p id="3ba5">Here are a few tips for avoiding overused words and phrases:</p><ul><li>Make a DO NOT USE list</li><li>Embrace the “<a href="https://www.writerswrite.co.za/how-to-write-like-hemingway-with-these-10-easy-tips/#:~:text=Use%20short%2C%20simple%20sentences%3A%20Everything,make%20a%20reader's%20eyes%20glaze.">write like Hemingway</a>” approach, using short, direct, fluff-free sentences</li><li>Review your old writing to see which terms you’ve continued to use over and over</li><li>Examine examples of excellent writing in your niche and learn some new tricks</li><li>Develop new approaches to intro and conclusion sections (where overused terms are most invasive)</li></ul><p id="a486">Writers should always be evolving. Once you find an example of overuse in your writing, embrace the opportunity to learn new words, phrases, and stylistic approaches.</p></article></body>

Five of the Most Overused Words and Phrases in Blog Articles

Learn a few overused terms to avoid in your writing

In the world of blog posts, not all words and phrases are created equal. In fact, there’s an overabundance of terms that are used entirely too often.

You may be wondering if you’re guilty of overreliance on some of the most overused snippets in content writing.

Let’s review a few bits of language that everyone would love to see less of, along with some tips for avoiding the overuse of worn-out words.

Plethora

Nobody says plethora in their daily conversations, so why is it such a go-to for writers?

“When searching for new shoelaces, there are a plethora of options to choose from.”

Gross. Gross and unnecessary.

Like most fancy words, plethora is there for special occasions. The word refers to an amount of something that’s both enormous and more than necessary.

It just so happens that sales-oriented blog writers frequently find themselves explaining to readers that there’s so darn much of something and that they really need the writer to help them sort through the clutter.

So, we get a plethora of plethoras. The word itself is fine — it’s just a word — but perhaps it’s time to put it on the shelf for a few decades, then bring it back once everyone’s forgotten about it.

You May Be Wondering…

Crafting a smooth article introduction is tough, which is why some writers latch on to a phrase like “you may be wondering” and insert it in the middle of every intro section that they write.

“If your old shoelaces are falling apart and smell like moldy feet, you may be wondering if it’s possible to score some new ones without buying a whole new pair of shoes.”

Next, the writer breaks the big news: It is possible! All of your dreams are about to come true.

“You may be wondering” offers to take readers on an awkward little dance that the writer is leading when there’s probably a more direct way to simply say what needs to be said.

More importantly, the exact wording of this phrase is used over and over again in blog articles. When that’s the case, writers need to freshen up their material and develop a few new tricks.

Today

“Today” is commonly used at the start or end of articles.

In intro sections, writers sometimes announce what they’re going to be discussing “today.” This isn’t the worst way to get the ball rolling, but it’s not exactly accurate.

In this announcement-style context, “today” typically literally refers to the present day. However, blog articles are meant to be read by different people on different days. An article isn’t a live conversation, so there really isn’t a unifying concept of “today.”

That being said, it’s a gray area. If you like today in your intros, you can probably make it work.

Likewise, closing an article with a today-based call to action can work too — but you have to make it fit. Don’t simply tell the reader what you want them to and slap the word “today” on there.

Today is okay when referring to actions that can actually be completed today. If you want the reader to do something like book an appointment, today is a reasonable time frame. If your call to action encompasses a grand or long-term process, then you don’t need to include “today.” Nobody reads a real estate article and then rushes out to “buy their dream home today!”

In the World of…

It’s only appropriate to refer to the “world of” concepts or items that are vast and complex.

The world of politics, the world of e-commerce, the world of psychology… those are all fine.

The world of toothpicks? Take a step back.

Not All ___ Are Created Equal

“Not all ___ are created equal” is sometimes paired with “in the world of…” or similar setups.

It’s not an awful way to frame a comparison, but it’s overused.

Here’s an example of the appropriate use of this phrase:

“Even within the same lumber batch, not all boards are created equal. Before buying, inspect each board for common defects such as knots or cracks.”

Would it be easy for someone who doesn’t often shop for lumber to mistakenly think that all boards are more or less the same? Sure. So, it’s okay to note that they aren’t.

The phrase is less helpful when it’s simply used as a boast about a product that you’re selling, e.g. “You might be tempted to buy any old shoelace, but they aren’t all created equal!”

In most cases, pointing out that a set of options “aren’t equal” is an instance of stating the obvious. Save this overused phrase for moments when it can be genuinely used to inform your readers

Avoiding Overused Words and Phrases

Here are a few tips for avoiding overused words and phrases:

Make a DO NOT USE list
Embrace the “write like Hemingway” approach, using short, direct, fluff-free sentences
Review your old writing to see which terms you’ve continued to use over and over
Examine examples of excellent writing in your niche and learn some new tricks
Develop new approaches to intro and conclusion sections (where overused terms are most invasive)

Writers should always be evolving. Once you find an example of overuse in your writing, embrace the opportunity to learn new words, phrases, and stylistic approaches.