Let’s face it. Sometimes when you’re writing, you find yourself wondering if there’s another word for, well, the word you keep using! Repetitive words tend to creep into our writing when we’re feeling stuck, and they can make an otherwise excellent email or perfect paper seem a little less polished than we’d hoped. At worst, repeating words in your writing can make it down right boring!
When to find another word in your writing
There are plenty of reasons this happens. While the average 20-year-old native English speaker knows an average of 42,000 words, we only use about 20,000 of them. And sometimes repetitive words can actually help make keep your reader engaged — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. practiced anaphora when he repeated the phrase “I have a dream” in eight consecutive sentences. His speech is stirring and well-remembered because of his careful crafting and repetition.
So how do you know when you should find another word for the words you’re repeating, and where do you find another word to make your writing more clear and engaging? Take a look at these sentences:
I really liked this article I found. I thought you would like this article too.
If the words “like” and “article” jumped out at you because they’re repeated and you wish the writer had found another word for each of them, you’re getting the picture. Do you worry the writer is going to drone on and on, using the same words over and over?
The good news? You can drop the duplicates with a little help! Keep reading for the seven best resources to help you write more clearly.
Grammar Coach™
Hey, we had to start with the best, didn’t we? Even the best writers need a helping hand. That’s where Grammar Coach by Thesaurus.com comes in. Use Grammar Coach™ to check your spelling, find the best words to use, and make sure your writing is as clear as possible.
The new repetitive words feature can even let you know if you’re using the same word too many times, and suggest alternatives to make editing a cinch. It’s like having your own virtual writing mentor.
Online style guides
Different types of writing require different style guides — documents that outline rules for writing for different organizations. Many newspapers use them, and they can help you curb some of those repetitive word habits. Luckily, you can find most style guides online. For most types of writing, you’ll want to check out the Associated Press (AP) Stylebook, the Chicago Manual of Style, or any of our easy grammar help articles that explain the differences between these styles.
NaNoWriMo
Breaking the repetitive word habit can be as simple as flexing your writing muscles a little more! Creative writers can find prompts, help, and support through NaNoWriMo. The name is a shortened version of National Novel Writing Month, which takes place in November, but the site provides prompts and message boards for writers all year long.
You can also connect with a writing community through the event and get helpful feedback and team motivation for finishing the writing challenge month out strong.
The Word of the Day
A dictionary is a handy tool for writing of any kind, and Dictionary.com makes it easy to double check your spelling and make sure that word you keep using really means what you think it means. But dropping your habit of repeating the same words could be as simple as building up your vocabulary by learning new words! Good thing you can pick up a fresh one each day with Word of the Day, huh?
Writer’s Digest
Becoming a great writer means learning as much as possible about your craft. Whether you’re interested in fiction writing, nonfiction writing, or poetry, Writer’s Digest has articles from real writers and experts with helpful suggestions for creating a dedicated writing practice and honing your skills.
Daily Writing Tips
Dig into a new writing-related topic each day with articles from Daily Writing Tips. A new piece of writing help is published each day covering topics related to syntax, vocabulary, and hot topics related to the writing industry at large.
The thesaurus
What’s another word for place to find the best word alternatives? We’re a little biased, but we’re going to say it’s Thesaurus.com!
You can look up synonyms and antonyms for thousands of words, get help with your spelling and punctuation, read helpful explainers about the trickiest grammar topics, and even learn brand new synonyms every single day with our free Synonym Of The Day feature.
