Avoiding Repetition: Add Variety to Your English

Repetition is using on the same word again and again when a small change would sound better. Some repetition is natural, and sometimes it can be used strategically to emphasise a point, but often times it just makes your ideas feel boring and blur together. There are a few things you can do to fix this problem.

Key takeaways

• A little repetition is fine; too much makes speech sound flat.
• Swap a repeated word for a synonym with the same meaning.
• Use reference words like it, they, or this to point back instead of repeating.
• Rephrase the idea rather than reusing the exact noun or verb.

How to avoid repetition

1. Swap a repeated word for a synonym.

• ✓ The film was excellent, and the acting was superb.
• ✗ The film was good, and the acting was good.

2. Use a reference word to point back.

• ✓ I read the report and sent it to my manager.
• ✗ I read the report and sent the report to my manager.

3. Rephrase the idea instead of repeating the noun.

• ✓ The city is growing fast, and this growth brings new problems.
• ✗ The city is growing fast, and the growing of the city brings new problems.

4. Vary your linking words.

• ✓ First, it is cheaper. In addition, it saves time.
• ✗ First, it is cheaper. And it saves time. And it is easy.

Test yourself

You do not need fancy words, just a little variety to keep your speech lively. Practise mixing them out loud and get instant feedback on Speechful. Start practising free →