Words and Expressions Best Avoided
In any form of communication consistency of language is generally crucial. On the one hand, written English tends to eschew words which might seem pompous, archaic, obscure, or in any way unnatural.1 However, the use of colloquialisms is the error more frequently met with. Here is a list of words and phrases which are widely felt to be colloquialisms and thus inappropriate for much "serious" writing, unless there is a specific reason to use them.
1. a bit
Use instead slightly, to some (small) degree, somewhat, rather, noticeably, perceptibly, tangibly, palpably, marginally etc.
2. a couple of
Use instead a few, a number of, several etc.
3. a lot of, lots of
Use instead many, a large (a very considerable) number of, a mass of, numerous, countless, a whole range (variety) of, all manner of, a wealth
of etc. Cf. p. 152.
4. ...and so on
This expression needs to be paraphrased, as in the following sentence:
One must preserve old churches, city walls, burghers' houses, hospices and such buildings. {Instead of: and so on.)
Another possible way of avoiding and so on is etc., although it is often felt to be highly informal.
1 Examples of this category are spouse for "husband" or "wife", sibling for "brother" or "sister", and the word creature to describe any human being, Cf. also youth, below, p. 173.
168
5. like
This word is often overused or misused, like in the present sentence (better would be "as in the present sentence"). Cf. also the following sentence:
They must be encouraged by certain privileges, such as tax-concessions advertising etc.
instead of the clumsy
...like tax-concessions, advertising etc.
6. maybe
This word is more common in American than in British English. In British English perhaps is preferable,
7. nice, nasty
These words are acceptable only in informal contexts.
8. pretty (= fairly)
Only in colloquial and extremely informal contexts.
9. funny (= strange, queer)
Only in colloquial and extremely informal contexts. When there is any danger of ambiguity, the word is best avoided.
10. kids (= children, youngsters) This word is extremely colloquial.
11. Short forms such as isn't, aren't etc. are also to be avoided. In conversation, letters to friends, and informal writing generally they are, of course, quite acceptable and often preferable.
Certain patterns are available for avoiding short forms:
a. They have no money (instead of: don't have...),
b. The book fails to provide advice (instead of: doesn't provide )
c. They have ceased to identify with the system (instead of: don't., any longer)
d. This is important, but he omits to mention it (instead of: doesn't mention it)'
e. J hey have no such customs (instead of: don't have such...).
12. Except in informal contexts the pronoun you meaning one must be avoided, as in
When you go jogging every day, you feel fitter.
169
Use one or else a paraphrase. Thus in this particular instance it is possible to write:
When one goes jogging every day, one feels fitter.
Often a passive construction is possible: thus instead of the sentence
The solving of this problem is more difficult than you (one) might suppose. 6
it is possible to write:
The solving of this problem is more difficult than might be supposed. In fact, writing one is often merely the lesser of two evils, since in contemporary British English it is widely felt to be somewhat unnatural. 13. get
This is the most overused verb in the English language It is generally good to avoid it wherever it is possible to do so without sounding unnatural.