Five Quick Edits That Will Immediately Make Your Writing Better

Whether you're seasoned or just starting out, every writer knows that the real magic often happens in the editing phase.

It's the part of the writing process where good work becomes excellent—where rough ideas are honed, language is sharpened, and your voice emerges with clarity and purpose.

But editing can also be daunting, especially when you’re staring down a mountain of words and wondering where to begin.

You might find yourself asking: “How do I know what to cut and what to keep? Am I making the right changes to truly improve my work?” These are common concerns, and the good news is that you’re not alone.

Every writer struggles with these questions at some point. The key to effective editing isn’t just about making changes—it’s about making the right changes that elevate your writing.

Imagine having tools to instantly refine your prose, making it more concise, powerful, and engaging. Well, you can, and in this post, we’re going to dive into five of the most effective ones.

These aren’t just surface-level tweaks. They’re strategic cuts and replacements that will help you strip away unnecessary clutter, focus your ideas, and enhance the readability of your work.

Whether you’re polishing a short story, revising a novel draft, or tightening up an essay, these five quick edits will provide you with the clarity and confidence you need to make your writing the best it can be.

So, grab your red pen, pull up your latest draft, and let’s get to work. By the end of this post, you’ll have five powerful editing techniques in your arsenal that will help you transform your writing—quickly and effectively.

Eliminate “Very,” “Really,” and Their Evil Friends

Our good friend C.S. Lewis once said, “Don't use words too big for the subject. Don't say 'infinitely' when you mean 'very'; otherwise, you'll have no word left when you want to talk about something really infinite.”

This is the problem with unnecessary adverbs. You think you’re adding specificity to your language when you’re just loading up your sentences with words that do the opposite.

One of the quickest ways to strengthen your writing is to cut out the words “very” and “really.” These words are often used as intensifiers to emphasize the words that follow them. However, more often than not, they weaken your writing rather than enhance it.

For example, consider the sentence: “The movie was very exciting.” By removing “very” and choosing a stronger adjective, you can make the sentence more impactful: “The movie was thrilling.” The word “thrilling” carries more weight and conveys the intensity without the need for extra padding.

Whenever you find yourself using “very” or “really,” ask yourself if there’s a more precise word you could use instead. More often than not, the answer is yes, and making that switch will elevate your prose.

Ditch the Passive Voice

The passive voice is another common pitfall in writing that can make your sentences flat and less engaging. Passive constructions occur when the sentence’s subject is acted upon rather than doing the action.

For example, “The ball was thrown by John” is a passive sentence. It’s wordier and less direct than the active alternative: “John threw the ball.”

Switching from passive to active voice makes your sentences more concise and adds energy and clarity to your writing. Active voice places the focus on the subject and the action, creating a stronger connection with the reader. Rework passive sentences to make them active whenever possible—your writing will immediately feel more dynamic and engaging.

Cut “Just” and “That”

Two of the most overused words in writing are “just” and “that.” These words often slip into our sentences unnoticed, but they frequently add little to no value and can clutter your writing.

Consider the sentence: “I just wanted to say that your story was great.” By cutting out “just” and “that,” you can streamline the sentence: “I wanted to say your story was great.” The revised sentence is more direct and carries the same meaning without the extra filler.

Here’s the other thing about “just”—using it makes it sound like you’re trying to justify what you’re saying. We do this all the time, and it makes our communication come across as unassertive.

“Just” is a synonym for the word “only.” When you use it, you’re basically saying that you don’t want to be an imposition, even though you have every right to ask a legitimate question. Instead of, “I just wanted to check and see if we’re still having lunch tomorrow,” say, “Hey, are we still having lunch tomorrow?”

You just made your message more direct.

When editing, search for these words and consider whether they are necessary. In many cases, removing them will make your sentences clearer and more impactful.

Avoid Redundant Phrases

Redundancy is a sneaky issue that can creep into your writing without you even realizing it. Redundant phrases repeat the same idea in different words, unnecessarily lengthening your sentences. Common examples include phrases like “end result,” “completely full,” or “each and every.”

Oh, and then there’s my all-time favorite: “needless to say.” If it’s needless to say, don’t say it.

For instance, “end result” can be shortened to “result.” The word “end” is implied in the meaning of “result,” so including it is redundant. You can make your writing more concise and to the point by eliminating these redundancies.

When you’re editing, look for phrases that might be repeating themselves. Trimming these down will tighten your prose and make your writing more efficient.

Replace Weak Verbs with Strong Ones

Weak verbs often are spotted in the wild with their partner-in-crime passive voice. They rely on adverbs or other modifiers to convey meaning rather than standing firm on their own. Common weak verbs include “is,” “are,” “was,” “were,” and “get.” While these verbs are sometimes necessary, overusing them can make your writing feel lifeless.

For example, instead of writing “He is going to the store,” you could write “He walks to the store” or “He hurries to the store.” The latter options are more vivid and specific, painting a clearer picture for the reader.

By replacing weak verbs with strong, specific ones, you can create more dynamic and engaging sentences. Your writing will come to life, and your readers will be drawn in by the vivid imagery you create.

Want More Suggestions for Editing Your Own Writing?

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