Aforementioned

Jul 28, 2022 writing style aforementioned rants

That’s the word that drives me nuts when I see it in print. Or more realistically in online posts. The only legitimate usage of “the aforementioned” is to put it into the mouth of a character who you want to sound pompous.

What’s wrong with it that it is always intrinsically redundant.

For example “The aforementioned usage is …” becomes “The usage is …” - whatever usage we’re talking about is by definition previously mentioned, so there’s no ambiguity in the shorter form.

Just cut it out. If you wouldn’t say “aforementioned” in normal conversation don’t wedge it into your prose. If you would say aforementioned in normal conversation then you should probably be nicer to your friends.