: Re: Where can I find lists of commonly used words to avoid? I have a theory that good prose style comes in part from avoiding complicated, abstract, and pretentious words. Are there any good lists

@Dunderdale623

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The language is a tool to convey more than meaning. By choosing specific words you create atmosphere, impression, differ between formal and informal, elegant versus pretentious, frank versus rude. By removing a set of words you cripple your means of expression.
And there are words that function in specific expressions and fit specific situations where simpler alternatives would be worse. There are rules that directly contradict your premise, like never use two words when one will suffice - use a more sophisticated word where you'd need to use two simpler.
Let us look at your list and see how it butchers the language:
INSTEAD OF - TRY
accomplish - carry out, do
Son, you spent past fifteen years in the university. What did you do?
accurate - correct, exact, right
This gun is correct.
This gun is exact.
This gun is right.
allocate - divide
The malloc() command divides a specified amount of memory. (that's entirely incorrect!!)
attain - meet
I have met the rank of captain.
Don't seek lists of words to avoid. Just learn the proper use of all words and apply the right ones where they belong.

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