Common 11+ Writing Vocabulary Mistakes
Precision beats ambition. Choose the right word, in the right place, with the right tone.
Frequent Misuses
- their/there/they’re • your/you’re • its/it’s
- affect (verb) vs effect (noun)
- a lot (two words), could have (not “could of”)
- literally (use only when true), unique (not “very unique”)
- overusing very/extremely; choose a precise word instead
Safer, Stronger Alternatives
- very hungry → starving/peckish (context matters)
- very tired → exhausted/drained
- very cold → freezing/bitter
- very big → enormous/immense
- nice → welcoming/pleasant/warm (pick tone)
Natural Collocations
Use words that commonly go together—this sounds fluent and accurate.
- make a decision, take a risk, pay attention, give a speech
- heavy rain, strong wind, bitter cold, warm welcome
- raise an issue, draw a conclusion, set a goal
Pitfalls
- “Wow” words in the wrong tone (e.g., “awesome” in a formal letter)
- Mixing metaphors or stacking too many adjectives
- Forcing synonyms that don’t quite fit—clarity first
Quick Practice
- Underline 5 words in your draft and swap only 2 for more precise choices
- Write 3 collocations for the topic (e.g., “storm” → raging storm, dark clouds…)