Hello learners. Today I want to share 6 words that are WAY overused in spoken English. You may have noticed them when you were talking to a native speaker. A lot of learners learn these words and early in their quest to sound more "native" and they try and use them all too often. My advice: Don't.
- Literally - This word means that something happened exactly as described.
Example: "I literally laughed so hard that I died."
So this means that you should be dead, but you obviously are not. What to say instead:
"I died laughing." When we hear this we know it is completely figurative, so there is no need to use literally.
2. Basically - This is used to say that a statement summarizes the essential aspects of a story.
Example: " Basically, I had a terrible time."
There is just no benefit in saying "basically." What to say instead:
"I had a terrible time." Yep, that's it!
3. Like - This word has many meanings, common ones are: Similarity between two things, a meaningless filler in speech and to convey feelings toward something.
Similarity: "This tastes like chicken."
Enjoyment: "I like this song!"
Don't say: "I was like yeah and he was like what? Then I was like...
It can go on forever, trust me. So annoying.
3 more overused words are:
4. Actually - Similar to really and used the same.
5. Awesome - impressive or great.
6. Nice - something that is pleasant.
Actually is kind of a useless word that you don't have to use in a sentence. Awesome and nice have so many words that are more descriptive, sound better and mean the same thing.
I will talk about awesome and nice in later collumns.
I hope you enjoyed this collumn and I will see you next time!
Here is a good inforgraphic on this subject that you can use:
http://www.grammarcheck.net/overused-words/
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Brian R.
Brian R.
2017年 2月 28日
Yeah, I think we all do. No problem, and thanks for the comment!
Elaina.C
2017年 2月 28日
So true!!! I use awesome way too much. Also, "like". :) thank you for the great post!!