No matter what you’re writing – the next bestselling novel, a social media status update or content for your company – there are words you can eliminate from your copy. It’ll make it quicker and easier to read, get your point across better and be more engaging.

I recently finished editing a memoir I spent the better part of last year writing. One part of the editing process involved spending quality time with Word’s find and replace feature. I found the following weak words and replaced them either with nothing or a stronger, more active word. It cut my word count by 1,000 words (out of 75,000).

That

We overuse “that” constantly because we feel that we need it in our writing. You don’t need it. There are times “that” is appropriate, such as, “I want to buy that book.” But, most of the time, it can go by way of the delete key. Re-read your writing without the “thats” and see if it still makes sense. If it does, you don’t need it.

Just

“Just” weakens your writing. You can delete this word and the only difference will be fewer words to read and writing that’s stronger and more engaging.

Really

We use “really” for emphasis. Change the word you’re emphasizing instead. Rather than saying “writing is really hard” use a stronger word, such as “writing is difficult” or “writing is unendurable.”

Very

It’s the same as “really.” Delete it and strengthen the word it modifies.

Almost

At a writing seminar I once went to, the speaker lectured us on her dislike of the word “almost.”

“Don’t write, ‘He ran so fast he almost hit the door,’” she said. “Tell me what actually happened instead of what didn’t happen.”

Perhaps

Perhaps and its sister word “maybe” indicate uncertainty about what you’re saying. Unless you want to indicate uncertainty (which is fine if your protagonist is pondering why something happened that they’re not sure about, but not if you’re writing about your company’s latest product) don’t use it.

Quite

I’m English and “quite” is a regularly-used adjective in my speech. It used to be in my writing as well, until and editor told me I was “damning them with faint praise” in article about a band I said was “quite energetic.”

Sometimes quite means “really really really.” Sometimes it means “kinda.” Unless you’re writing dialogue for an English person, it’s best not to use it. Your goal is not to confuse your reader.

Literally

Before we collectively changed our minds, the only time “literally” was supposed to be used was when something was true in a literal sense. It can now apparently also mean “figuratively.” As the word has essentially lost its meaning except in hyperbole, don’t use it.

Nice

“Nice” is bland. Surely there’s a better word you can use that’s more alive. People aren’t nice. They’re friendly, observant, kind, patient, polite. Food doesn’t taste nice. It’s savory, comforting, palatable, bland.

Every

I confess, I was a rampant over user of “every” including “everyone” and “everything.” Over use of this word makes your writing less believable. Writing (and thinking) in absolutes (every, always, never) doesn’t work well in copy or in life.

There are more ways to strengthen your writing, but cutting these 10 words will go a long way to making your writing more polished and engaging. When you read a professionally written work – book or blog post – notice which words you see and which you don’t. When your writing is strong and clear, it’s easy and fluid to read.