I don't know how these redundant, extra, inessential words creep into my first drafts.
They must do it when I'm not looking, the unnecessary that, so, or just. They crawl into place and settle into my sentences. I am aware I overuse them yet there they are when I complete my first draft, smiling up at me, saying ha, can't get rid of me!
Only I can. I can cut them as I edit.
Some words are redundant because they aren't taking an active part in the sentence. They can be lost and the meaning stays the same. Tautology. Overworked modifiers, especially weak intensifiers.
Some are redundant through my own overuse. I use 'know' a lot. My characters are always 'knowing' something. I should be a) using another word or b) showing rather than telling their knowledge.
Here are my personal Top 10 Redundant words:
1.That
2.As
3.Back
4.Know
5.Like
6.Over
7.So
8.Down
9.Just
10.Really
Honourable mentions to:
11.Some/Something
12.Much
13.Very
14.Because
Please say I am not the only one? Any additions to my list above?