When we write, we tend to use some words on a rolling basis. We use them far too often because they pop into our minds, and we grab them. When we edit or proofread our drafts, we should look for some of these offending words and replace them or delete completely. We use them when we are lazy writers.
One of those words is VERY. We use it to emphasize something, to let readers know we are quite sure about the word it precedes. We use it when we don't want to search for a more meaningful or stronger word to replace the 'very' and the word following.
Our poster today is a list of 'very' expressions and a better word given for each one. I'm going to repeat it here in a list for you to print and save if you are so inclined.
very noisy deafening
very often frequently
very old ancient
very old-fashioned archaic
very open transparent
very painful excruciating
very pale ashen
very perfect flawless
very pooor destitute
very poertgul compelling
very pretty beautiful
very quick rapid
very quiet hushed
very rainy pouring
very rich wealthy
very sad sorrowful
very scared petrified
very scary chillling
very serious grave
very sharp keen
very shiny glistening
very short brief
very shy timid
very simple basic
This is a very long list (try lengthy). Do you see how easily the word 'very' came to me when writing the opening sentence in this paragraph?
For an exercise, choose a story or essay in your files and highlight the word 'very' from beginning to end. Are you surprised at how many times you used it? Or were there only a few 'very' words? If you had a lot of them, try replacing as many as possible. I think you'll find doing so creates a stronger piece of writing.
VERY and several others come under the heading of Unnecessary Words. Some can be replaced while others can be deleted without losing any meaning in your sentence. For today, let's concentrate on this one prickly word--VERY.
Very good advice. I mean, good advice.
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