Toss the following words and phrases from your vocabulary and business writing for more effective communication.

1. Discard Weak Language
Helpful hints for public relations
and marketing professionals

2. Remove the following words and phrases from
your vocabulary in your business writing

3. just
Reason: a filler word; it does not add value to
your sentence
Result: a tighter, more direct sentence

4. really ~ very ~ a lot
Reason: used for verbal emphasis; these
words do not translate well into written text
Result: a stronger message
“The rock is really hard.” vs. “The rock is
hard.”

5. perhaps ~ maybe
sort of ~ kind of
Reason: communicates uncertainty and
vagueness
Result: a clear and explicit message

6. quite
Reason: sometimes it adds meaning and
sometimes adds fluff
Hint: Know the difference and when in
doubt, discard

7. amazing
Reason: overused
Hint: If everything is amazing, then nothing is

8. literally
Reason: overused and usually fluff
Hint: Use to clarify meaning, to explain that
you are not joking when it is perceived that
you are

9. stuff ~ things ~ got
Reason: informal and generic
Result: a clarified sentence when replaced
with a more descriptive word

10. you
Reason: implies that you are writing to AND
about the reader; renders statement
otherwise false
Hint: Do not use when making general
statements

11. feel
Reason: convolutes message – write what is
actually being felt
Result: emotions are conveyed with colorful
language

12. I think ~ I believe
Reason: an opinion
Result: the message is straightforward

13. as
Reason: implies you can do two things at
once
Result: clarifies sentence when replaced with
proper word
“Take a drink as you lie down.” vs. “Take a drink,
then lie down.”

14. like
Reason: if it is LIKE something, it is NOT that
thing; makes writing tedious
"Using these words is like baking with
spoiled milk.”
Hint: Give accurate descriptions and use
correct verbs to reduce the need to use it

15. used to
Reason: fewer words is always better
Hint: Replace used to with a past tense verb
“She used to write fiction.” vs. “She wrote fiction.”

16. To learn more about McKinney & Associates, visit www.mckpr.com
McKinney & Associates was founded in 1990 with a commitment to
social justice that has prevailed for nearly 25 years. From the beginning,
McKinney has passionately and skillfully practiced public relations with a
conscience for local, national and international organizations.