Use Interesting Words

This section explains how to use lively and interesting words. In writing, one of the best ways to captivate your reader is by using more precise, dynamic, and engaging vocabulary. While words like "good," "nice," "very," and "walked" are commonly used in everyday language, they can often make your writing feel flat or repetitive. By replacing these overused words with more vibrant and descriptive alternatives, you can bring your writing to life and create a more immersive experience for your reader.

Overused Words and Their More Interesting Alternatives

Good
Instead of simply saying something is "good," try using words that add more specificity or energy. Consider the effect you want to create.

• Alternative words: superb, fantastic, excellent, brilliant, outstanding, magnificent, remarkable, phenomenal.
• Example:
  • "The performance was outstanding,"
  • "It was a remarkable achievement."

Nice
"Nice" is a very general term, so replacing it with more precise alternatives can add character and detail to your descriptions.

• Alternative words: marvellous, delightful, pleasant, wonderful, glorious, charming, splendid, admirable.
• Example:
  • "She had a delightful smile,"
  • "The view from the hill was truly splendid."

Very
The word "very" is often used to intensify adjectives, but it can usually be replaced with a stronger word for more impact.

• Alternative words: extremely, highly, deeply, terribly, massively, hugely, intensely, vastly.
• Example:
  • "He was extremely excited,"
  • "She was massively relieved after the exam."

Happy
When describing emotions, being more specific can evoke stronger imagery and connect with the reader more effectively.

• Alternative words: ecstatic, overjoyed, delighted, cheerful, thrilled, elated, jubilant, content.
• Example:
  • "The children were ecstatic when they saw the presents,"
  • "I felt overjoyed after receiving the news."

Big
Words like "big" can feel vague. Depending on the context, you can use more specific terms to describe the size and impact of something.

• Alternative words: huge, massive, gigantic, enormous, colossal, immense, vast, tremendous, monumental.
• Example:
  • "The house was enormous,"
  • "They faced a tremendous challenge."

Hate
The word "hate" is quite strong, and sometimes it's helpful to choose a word that conveys the intensity of the emotion more accurately, or that fits the context better.

• Alternative words: despise, loathe, detest, abhor, condemn, recoil from, repulsed by, disdain.
• Example:
  • "I absolutely loathe that television show,"
  • "She despised the idea of lying."

Said
"Said" is a useful word, but overusing it can make your dialogue feel repetitive. Instead, try replacing it with words that better capture the character's tone or emotion.

• Alternative words: exclaimed, shouted, whispered, mumbled, grumbled, sighed, declared, murmured, barked, asked, replied, roared.
• Example:
  • "He exclaimed in surprise,"
  • "She whispered softly into my ear."

Walked
Instead of always saying "walked," choose a verb that matches the pace, mood, or character’s attitude towards their movement.

• Alternative words: strutted, wandered, ambled, trudged, sauntered, stomped, skipped, marched, sprinted, strolled, paced.
• Example:
  • "She strolled through the park, enjoying the sunny afternoon,"
  • "He marched down the street with determination."

Tips for Choosing More Precise Words

• Consider the tone of the piece: Is your scene peaceful, energetic, tense, or humorous? Select words that match the atmosphere you want to create.
  • For example, instead of saying "He walked very quickly," you could say "He sprinted down the street" to convey urgency, or "He ambled along, taking his time" for a more relaxed tone.
• Think about the character's emotions or intentions: When describing a character’s actions or feelings, choose verbs that convey not just what they are doing, but how and why.
  • For example, "She grumbled about the long wait" gives a different sense of annoyance than "She complained about the long wait."
• Use sensory language: Sometimes the right adjective or verb can be drawn from the senses. Think about how something looks, sounds, feels, smells, or tastes, and use words that evoke those sensory experiences.
  • For example, instead of saying "It was a big room," you could say "The room was vast, its high ceilings echoing with every step."

Summary

Using lively, interesting words in your writing not only makes it more engaging but also allows you to paint a richer, more vivid picture for your reader. Instead of relying on generic words like "good" or "very," challenge yourself to find more specific, dynamic alternatives that convey exactly what you mean and evoke the desired emotions. By carefully choosing your words, you can transform a simple narrative into a more compelling, immersive experience.