Grammar Rules: Repetition

It can be hard work to make a passage interesting enough for someone else to read it. There are so many things to remember … don’t do this … don’t do that … but, try to do this … It can be scary, especially for a new writer. These rules are not to scare; they are to help the newbie know what professionals already have learned through hard work, and many years of receiving rejections. That story about wallpapering your walls with rejection slips – it’s true. Unless, of course, you learn from those that have already made every mistake there is.



Which brings us to the next hint: repetition. Try to avoid repeating the same word too often. Please read this:

Jack leapt from his bed; the alarm hadn’t gone off again! Jack was bound to be late and be fired for sure this time. Jack then rushed through the shower so quickly that Jack wasn’t sure if the water actually touched his skin. Jack skipped breakfast and bolted for the door. Jack’s hand reached for the car keys as Jack always kept them in a dish by the door – well, mostly always. And this was one of those cases Jack hadn’t. Jack stared at the empty dish as the colour drained from his face. How was Jack going to get to work on time now?

Sick of reading the name ‘Jack’? Use your alternative pronouns instead of the character’s name to break it up a bit. But don’t overdo it like in this example:

Jack leapt from his bed; the alarm hadn’t gone off again! He was bound to be late and be fired for sure this time. He then rushed through the shower so quickly that he wasn’t sure if the water actually touched his skin. He skipped breakfast and bolted for the door. He reached for the car keys as he always kept them in a dish by the door – well, mostly always. And this was one of those cases he hadn’t. He stared at the empty dish as the colour drained from his face. How was he going to get to work on time now?

The overuse of ‘he’ has become annoying. Let’s do it right this time.

Jack leapt from his bed; the alarm hadn’t gone off again! He was bound to be late and be fired for sure this time. He rushed through the shower so quickly there was doubt if the water actually touched his skin. Jack skipped breakfast and bolted for the door. His hand reached for the car keys; he always kept them in a dish by the door – well, mostly always. And this was one of those cases he didn’t. He stared at the empty dish, the colour drained from his face. How was he going to get to work on time now?

‘And’ is one word that is over used. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great word and is handy, but let’s not get carried away.

And here we are, another beautiful day by the sea, just relaxing and watching the swimmers, and the children building sandcastles and the boats on the horizon. The perfect way to spend a day away from the office and let the hours drift by without a single thought about emails and missed calls and the files that are no doubt piling up.

A few paragraphs of this and you’ll be throwing it into the sea.



The best way to pick up if you’re using a word too often is to read it out aloud. This can be a little embarrassing at first, but you’ll get over it. I used to refuse to read my work aloud because I was embarrassed. Now, people tell me I don’t shut up. They even start thinking I’m on the phone because I’m rambling; actually I’m talking to my computer.



That it for now, keep writing and have fun with it.