How do I edit for overused words?
- Most writers lean on a handful of crutch words unconsciously.
- Common offenders: just, really, very, that, suddenly, felt.
- Search tools reveal how often each word appears.
- Not every repeat is bad; cut only where it dulls prose.
- A personal crutch-word list speeds future edits.
Edit for overused words by identifying your personal crutch words and filler — common ones include just, really, very, that, suddenly, felt, and filter words like saw or thought — then using your editor's search or a word-frequency tool to count and locate them. Cut needless filler, vary genuine repeats, and tighten filter words where they distance the reader. Keep a personal list of your usual suspects to speed future passes. The goal is not to ban words but to remove dulling repetition while keeping intentional rhythm.
Chapter i·Why it matters
Every writer unconsciously overuses certain words, and unchecked repetition flattens prose, weakens emphasis, and signals an unedited draft. A targeted overused-word pass tightens writing and sharpens voice without the risk of over-editing everything at once. Understanding how to find crutch words (search tools, frequency counts) and judge which repeats to cut helps authors clean their prose efficiently. Building a personal crutch-word list turns a vague worry into a fast, repeatable editing step.
Chapter ii·What to include
- A personal list of crutch and filler words.
- Search or frequency tools to count them.
- Cuts of needless filler.
- Variation of genuine repeats.
- Tightened filter words.
- Intentional rhythm preserved.
Chapter iii·Example
An author suspects she overuses "just" and "suddenly." A word-frequency check shows "just" appears 140 times in 80,000 words. She searches each instance, cutting most as filler and keeping the few that matter, then does the same for "suddenly." Her prose tightens noticeably — and she adds both to her personal crutch-word list for next time.
Chapter iv·Related questions
WriteLoom's Edit studio supports focused cleanup passes, so trimming overused words is fast and consistent.
See the Edit studio