“It is important that we leave no stone unturned…”, or “It is with my deepest regret that I have to inform you.” Well, we’ve all heard cliches - phrases so commonly used that they have become hackneyed. Of course, cliches were once phrases extremely suitable for the particular context they applied to, but they have been used far too often in inappropriate contexts and consequently, have lost their original force.

So, given the negative connotation attached to cliches today, should we use them in our writing? I’d have to use a hackneyed phrase myself: It depends. In general, cliches should be avoided like the plague because it is more likely that they will be used inaccurately, rather than otherwise. In letter writing, cliches can also suggest a lack of sincerity as they are common expressions rather than your own original thoughts and feelings.

But when used sparingly and appropriately, they deliver a very strong message because well-used cliches not only show your understanding of the language but they also represent your strong intent at pushing through that message (to the extent that you are willing to use a cliche).

Therefore, let me reiterate the words of almost all English teachers today: Do Not Use Cliches unless you really, really understand how they should be used. This translates as: If you happen to be in doubt over the appropriate context of any commonly used phrase, do not use it - especially if you are writing an examination-level or competition-level essay.