Cliches in writing: what they are and how to fix them

Cliches are everywhere. You can find them in novels, essays, articles, and even casual conversations. These familiar phrases are not universally evil - they are instantly relatable, can help you get your point across, and can provide writers with some natural-sounding, realistic dialog. However, the problem arises when they are used as placeholders and sound like fillers or templates, not actual dialog. Phrases like “time heals all wounds” can gloss over real emotions and undermine serious points. If you want to avoid cliches in writing, follow our verified advice for improving your style and refining your prose. If you ever feel stuck, you can work with a professional paper writer to improve your character interactions.

What is a cliche in writing?

What is the definition of cliche? A cliche is a phrase or expression that has been used so many times, both in writing and conversation, that it no longer has the emotional impact and does not resonate with the audience reading the text. While cliches might have been originally impactful and powerful, repetition has dulled the effect. Writers who want to get their point across often fall back on these expressions as their safety net, but this is the shortcut that often leads to generic writing.

So, what is a cliche in writing? Cliches are tired expressions that can be found within the text and which can indicate a lack of originality in writing. A cliche in a sentence feels predictable because it has been seen so many times before. Cliches can also refer to plot devices that feel stale due to the excessive use of these phrases across film and television.

An example of a cliche in a sentence:

• Every cloud has a silver lining. This phrase implies a difficult situation that has a comforting aspect even though it may not be immediately apparent. However, it communicates little and adds nothing to the sentence.
• The chosen one discovered a secret power and now must fight an evil entity to save the world. The cliche about the chosen one can be comforting in some genres of fiction, but strong writing often demands that the cliche subverts expectations for writing style improvement.

These cliche examples prove that stale phrases are one of the writing pitfalls that can flatten your plot, characters, and writing and make your dialog feel forgettable. When your readers encounter a cliche, they are reminded that they have seen or heard this phrase a thousand times before, which can reduce their engagement. If your research paper, essay, or personal statement suffers from an excessive number of cliche expressions, you must improve, adjust, and edit your personal statement using fresh writing techniques and tips.

Why cliches weaken your writing

How to use cliche in a sentence and avoid the common writing pitfalls when resorting to figurative language in writing? Cliches are often used in capstone project writing and homework assignments because they feel relatable, familiar, and don’t require much introspective thinking. Consider a cliche a safety net - a stress-free, risk-free phrase that you can fall back on when all other methods, including metaphors and comparisons, are not enough to render your meaning. As convenient as a cliche may sound, it has hidden pitfalls and consequences, undercutting your meaning and overall message. Here is why cliches weaken your tone in writing:

1. They make your writing predictable. When your readers can easily guess what your next phrase is going to be, they automatically lose interest. If you already know what the character is going to say in the next paragraph, you will most likely tune out before the chapter ends. Also, a cliche can give the impression that the writer is following a tired trope instead of being an independent, original thinker.
2. They dilute the emotional impact. A writer should connect with a reader on an emotional level. Common cliches in writing skim over deeper feelings and meaningful dialog between characters, failing to appeal to the audience on a spiritual, soulful level. Strong writing relies on impact, not boring platitudes that feel like the writer is preaching ethical ideals to the audience instead of connecting with them emotionally.
3. They often imply lazy writing. When you reach for a cliche, you are choosing the path of least resistance, which often feels like laziness. Instead of taking time to come up with original, unconventional phrasing, you find shortcuts in the form of tired expressions and overused, boring phrases. This often comes across as a lack of care for your audience and the inability to understand how literary language shapes meaning.
4. They clutter your text. Avoid cliches if you want your writing to be clear and intentional. Cliches gloss over the types of tone in writing and make it hard for readers to understand your true message and meaning. It is nearly impossible to let your authentic voice be heard over the unnecessary “noise” and clutter of cliches. Furthermore, the use of stale expressions gives the impression of “filler sentences” that are less impactful than the original, authentic paragraphs.

Common cliches in writing

Knowing the common cliches in writing will help you spot them and replace them with more original phrasing during the editing process. Below, we’ve categorized the cliche used in a sentence.

Time-related cliches

These expressions are often found in descriptive writing and storytelling and are related to the passing of time:

• In the blink of an eye
• A blast from the past
• Once upon a time
• Ahead of time
• Time flies
• Time heals all wounds
• Better late than never
• At the end of the day
• Beat the clock
• Once in a blue moon
• To make up for lost time

These phrases sound empty and generic and often cheapen your descriptive writing, flattening the emotional impact.

Character descriptions

Beginner writers, especially the ones writing in a new language, often use shortcuts to make quick work of their characters. However, these shortcuts make the characters sound one-dimensional and reduce the impact of their personalities.

1. Cold as ice
2. Heart of gold
3. Girl next door
4. A bad boy with a soft side
5. Damsel in distress
6. Wise old mentor
7. Clumsy but lovable
8. The chosen one
9. Femme fatale
10. The rebel
11. The mad genius
12. The nice guy vs the bad guy

Layered characters can be created by developing internal conflicts and specific character traits instead of relying on archetypal descriptions to add nuance or depth to your main leads. Seeking professional homework help from a seasoned writer is an alternative to using placeholders in fiction.

Situational phrases

Situational cliches are used to describe common transitions between events that fail to make an impression because of how predictable they sound:

• It was love at first sight
• The calm before the storm
• Every cloud has a silver lining
• They lived happily ever after
• And then all hell broke loose
• In over someone’s head
• This is a blessing in disguise
• The tip of the iceberg
• Their actions speak louder than words
• Easier said than done

How to identify cliches

What are cliches in writing, and how can you identify them in your text? Spotting cliches gets easier the more you practice creative writing. Below, you will find some common denominators to help you identify overused phrases:

1. Ask yourself if you’ve heard it too often. If the phrase feels familiar to the point of predictability (for example, you can finish the character’s line without looking at the screen or turning the page to see what they are going to say next), it is likely a cliche.
2. Check for vague expressions. Cliches often lack specificity and rely on generalization to relay their message. If the phrase is too generic and can be applied to any situation or context, you are most likely dealing with a cliche that needs to be substituted with a new, fresher statement.
3. Replace and compare. Try rewriting the phrase using more personal imagery. If the new, customized version feels stronger and more impactful, chances are that your previous version was a cliche that’s been utilized in excess.
4. Use online tools to check. Platforms like Grammarly or even a quick Google search can reveal the list of phrases that have been used too often and lost their original impact. Don’t hesitate to investigate before you start writing, and steer clear of phrases that have been spotted across fiction, media, and television.
5. Read aloud during revision. Cliches tend to stand out when spoken. If something you read aloud during the editing process sounds especially cheesy, boring, or predictable, trust your gut and better believe this is an overused phrase that needs replacing.

You can improve your writing style and avoid cliches by embracing the art of showing, not telling. For instance, instead of writing that your character had a heart of gold, you can casually mention they treated everyone with respect and never raised their voice, no matter the circumstances.

How to avoid cliches in writing

Cliche-free writing feels more engaging and generates more interest among the audience. If you want to avoid cliche expressions and common writing mistakes, try the following strategies:

• Be specific. Substitute overt generalizations with confirmed facts and vivid imagery. Your metaphors should be concrete and on point.
• Invent your own metaphors. Don’t be afraid to create your own metaphors. An original approach to writing surprises and delights the readers.
• Use a character voice. Do not typecast your characters as stereotypes and make them talk like TV commercials. This can be interpreted as lazy writing and lowers your credibility as an author. Make sure your characters have unique mannerisms and dialog.
• Experiment with structure. Experiment with the sentence length and paragraph structure. Explore what sounds good in writing by reading specific paragraphs aloud.
• Revise with intention. On your second draft, look for repetitive phrases or sentences that can be replaced with more personal ones. If something feels predictable, you are likely relying on a cliche to get your point across.
• Use fresh analogies. Cliche analogies can feel familiar, but they often undermine the true message behind the character’s lines. Try leading with imaginative, tailored alternatives to elevate your writing style.

Is it okay to use cliches?

Despite having a bad reputation, cliches are not always markers of poor writing. There are specific situations when cliche phrases can be especially effective:

• In-character dialog. People use cliches when they talk. If you want a more natural-sounding dialog, you can add cliches for realism. For instance, the characters referring to something as “the end of the world” is a good way to show they are human.
• For humorous effect. When you twist the familiar cliches or exaggerate them to the point of absurdity, they turn into excellent punchlines. For instance, you may say, “She is not the girl next door. She is the girl who will set your backyard on fire if you insult her via text”.
• To explain familiar ideas. Cliches are easy to understand and don’t require additional explanation. This means you can use them to clarify complex concepts and professional terminology.
• In informal or casual writing. Blog posts or social media communication are less judgmental when it comes to the use of cliches. An occasional cliche is allowed as long as you keep the tone relaxed and informal.

However, cliches should still be used sparingly and treated as an exception rather than the rule. They may not be detrimental per se but will often clutter space and look like sentence fillers.

Conclusion

If you need to elevate your writing, cliches can often seem like a tempting shortcut. They are familiar, predictable, and instantly relatable, meaning no mental gymnastics are required to understand a cliche phrase like “the calm before the storm” or “the girl with the heart of gold.” However, cliches can also flatten your characters and make your writing boring, especially when used to substitute a deeper emotional meaning. To make your writing feel original and avoid cliche-filled sentences, make sure your metaphors feel authentic and try replacing the original phrase with vivid literary imagery. If the new version feels alive, you have been relying on cliches to render your message and generalize your assumptions. Embrace original writing by inventing your own metaphors or subverting cliches during the editing process.