Factor.

A hackneyed word; the expressions of which it forms part can usually be replaced by something more direct and idiomatic.

Poor: His superior training was the great factor in his winning the match.
Better: He won the match by being better trained.

Poor: Heavy artillery is becoming an increasingly important factor in deciding battles.
Better: Heavy artillery is playing a larger and larger part in deciding battles.

From: William Strunk, Jr., The Elements of Style, 1918.

Fact.

Use this word only of matters of a kind capable of direct verification, not of matters of judgment. That a particular event happened on a given date, that lead melts at a certain temperature, are facts. But such conclusions as that Napoleon was the greatest of modern generals, or that the climate of California is delightful, however incontestable they may be, are not properly facts.

From: William Strunk, Jr., The Elements of Style, 1918.

Etc.

Not to be used of persons. Equivalent to and the rest, and so forth, and hence not to be used if one of these would be insufficient, that is, if the reader would be left in doubt as to any important particulars. Least open to objection when it represents the last terms of a list already given in full, or immaterial words at the end of a quotation.

At the end of a list introduced by such as, for example, or any similar expression, etc. is incorrect.

From: William Strunk, Jr., The Elements of Style, 1918.

Due to.

Incorrectly used for through, because of, or owing to, in adverbial phrases:
“He lost the first game, due to carelessness.”

In correct use related as predicate or as modifier to a particular noun:
“This invention is due to Edison;” “losses due to preventable fires.”

From: William Strunk, Jr., The Elements of Style, 1918.

Dependable. A needless substitute for reliable, trustworthy.

Effect. As noun, means result; as verb, means to bring about, accomplish (not to be confused with affect, which means “to influence”).

From: William Strunk, Jr., The Elements of Style, 1918.

Clever. This word has been greatly overused; it is best restricted to ingenuity displayed in small matters.

Consider. Not followed by as when it means, “believe to be.” “I consider him thoroughly competent.” Compare, “The lecturer considered Cromwell first as soldier and second as administrator,” where “considered” means “examined” or “discussed.”

From: William Strunk, Jr., The Elements of Style, 1918.

Compare. To compare to is to point out or imply resemblances, between objects regarded as essentially of different order; to compare with is mainly to point out differences, between objects regarded as essentially of the same order. Thus life has been compared to a pilgrimage, to a drama, to a battle; Congress may be compared with the British Parliament. Paris has been compared to ancient Athens; it may be compared with modern London.

From: William Strunk, Jr., The Elements of Style, 1918.

Claim, vb. With object-noun, means lay claim to. May be used with a dependent clause if this sense is clearly involved: “He claimed that he was the sole surviving heir.” (But even here, “claimed to be” would be better.) Not to be used as a substitute for declare, maintain, or charge.

From: William Strunk, Jr., The Elements of Style, 1918.

Character. Often simply redundant, used from a mere habit of wordiness.

Acts of a hostile character.
should be
Hostile acts.

From: William Strunk, Jr., The Elements of Style, 1918.

Certainly. Used indiscriminately by some speakers, much as others use very, to intensify any and every statement. A mannerism of this kind, bad in speech, is even worse in writing.

From: William Strunk, Jr., The Elements of Style, 1918.