Repeating Words

English is a confusing enough language just to use for communication. But when it comes to using the language artfully, the problems are compounded. The main problem for me is that we are given contradictory advice.

Look at the case of repeating words. Traditionally, we are told that it is bad to use a word more than once every 3-5 sentences (roughly once per paragraph). Grammar words (e.g. the, an, or) are excused, but content words are not.

You would receive a very low grade in a class if you turned in an essay with this paragraph: "My pet is a dog. My dog is named Hutch and Hutch is a good dog. Hutch is an English bulldog. In the summer, my dog and I play Frisbee in the park with other dogs. Hutch enjoys the dog park."

Granted, that paragraph is awful for a number of reasons, but I am very sure that the teacher would make a comment about how often the word "dog" is used. You would be told to find synonyms for "dog" or to rewrite sentences so you wouldn't need to say "dog" so much.

This is the nature of English. Because we have so many ways to say the same thing, both from synonyms and euphemisms, it is very unattractive to hear a word repeated. However, another writing teacher will give you the exact opposite advice (and sometimes it's the same writing teacher).

According to them, powerful writing often employs parallel structure, which means you repeat a word, phrase, or sentence structure to add significance and make very clear that what you are saying matters.

Suppose you turn in the following paragraph: "My dog is an English bulldog named Hutch. My dog is fun and friendly. My dog plays Frisbee in the park. My dog is better than all other dogs." Given to the wrong teacher, you might be told that your writing style rivals a third grader's in intellectual level and artistic merit. But given to the right teacher, you may be told that your parallel structure not only shows the passion you have for your dog, but rivals the beauty of an anaphora poem.

There is another problem that needs to be considered. On the one hand, it is true that repeating words is noticeable and grating. On the other hand, using too many synonyms can be confusing. Suppose I start talking about a nation's "beliefs and social practices", then in the following sentence, make reference to them as "cultural mores". If you don't understand that I am using them synonymously (which can be tricky if they aren't technically synonyms), it just makes the writing harder to follow. So what are we to do?

Ultimately, I think you need to decide for yourself when to repeat words. Say your passages out loud and figure out when it sounds awkward. Gain experience reading and hearing. Learn from good examples and bad examples. Find out how to do it naturally because, ultimately, that's the most important quality to your writing.