- thing/things: so vague! use a more precise noun instead
- a lot: informal and vague; usually best to be more precise, but in a pinch at least go with the more formal “many,” “often,” “significant,” “considerable,” etc.
- unique: has a very strong meaning; use with care
- drastic/drastically: not vague synonyms of big or really (according to the Oxford English Dictionary, “drastic” means “vigorously effective, violent” or “severe”)
- you: use sparingly, and not when you really mean “me” or “people in general”
- Don’t use that when you mean who or whom. “That” is for things, not for people.
- Follow this with a noun: “this” what?
Also watch out for misplaced or dangling modifiers and especially for unnecessary wordiness.
