Mr. Topel Information Literacy

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"Dead" Words

Some words in the English language tend to be overused and therefore lose their power.  These are called Dead Words.  Below is a list of dead words and more interesting alternatives that should be used in their place when you are writing.

Also

too, moreover, besides, as well as, in addition to

Awesome, Cool

fine wonderful, marvelous, great, fantastic

Scared

afraid, fearful, terrified, frightened

Have to

need to, must

Very

extremely, exceedingly, fantastically, unusually, incredibly, intensely, truly, fully, especially, shockingly, bitterly, immeasurably, infinitely, severely, surely, mightily, powerfully, chiefly

Like

such as, similar to, similarly

Kid

child, boy, girl, youngster, youth

Mad

angry, frustrated, furious, incensed, enraged

Got, Get

received, obtained, attained, succeed in

Then

first, second, next, later, finally, afterward, meanwhile, soon

Nice

pleasant, charming, fascinating, captivating, delightful, pleasurable, pleasing

Lots

Numerous, heaps, many, scores, innumerable

So

thus, accordingly, therefore

Fun

pleasant, pleasurable, amusing, entertaining, jolly

Good

excellent, exceptional, fine, marvelous, splendid, superb, wonderful

But

however, moreover, yet, still, nevertheless, though, although, on the other hand

Awful

dreadful, alarming, frightful, terrible, horrid, shocking

Great

wonderful, marvelous, fantastic

Guy

man, person, fellow, boy

Funny

amusing, comical, laughable, jovial