“So avoid using the word ‘very’ because it’s lazy. A man is not very
tired, he is exhausted. Don’t use very sad, use morose. Language was
invented for one reason, boys – to woo women – and, in that endeavor,
laziness will not do. It also won’t do in your essays.”
As someone who loves language and words and even gets to make a living with them, I am always interested in learning something new about how to write and express myself better. The quote above is good advice, albeit somewhat old-fashioned and biased, but the basic point is well-taken (I hope): use your words with intention, particularly when writing, and try your best to make it interesting and fun for the recipients.
Diana Urban has posted about other overused words on her blog, and I can only recommend reading “43 Words You Should Cut From Your Writing Immediately” to everyone wanting to improve his or her style.
And if you feel somewhat less creative, take a look at the cheat sheet over at SmartBlogger offering 297 words and their better alternatives.