Comments on: Adjectives and Adverbs to the Rescue! http://www.bloggingtips.com/2009/08/03/adjectives-and-adverbs-to-the-rescue/ Blog Themes, Blog Design & Daily Blog Tips Wed, 08 Feb 2012 15:16:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Patricia Vennes http://www.bloggingtips.com/2009/08/03/adjectives-and-adverbs-to-the-rescue/#comment-331520 Patricia Vennes Mon, 03 Aug 2009 17:30:35 +0000 http://www.bloggingtips.com/?p=8948#comment-331520 Good point Mihla, the only problem with Steven King's idea is that you have to be a good writer before you can use synonyms and other exciting language. Many people are just starting their blogs, so I just wanted to give them a crash course on adding some interesting words to their blog. Some people just want to get in and get out with their writing. The easiest way to do this is to use adverbs and adjectives, though more advanced writers know that using strong adverbs and words in general is better. Thanks for the comment. Good point Mihla, the only problem with Steven King's idea is that you have to be a good writer before you can use synonyms and other exciting language. Many people are just starting their blogs, so I just wanted to give them a crash course on adding some interesting words to their blog. Some people just want to get in and get out with their writing. The easiest way to do this is to use adverbs and adjectives, though more advanced writers know that using strong adverbs and words in general is better.

Thanks for the comment.

]]> By: Mihla http://www.bloggingtips.com/2009/08/03/adjectives-and-adverbs-to-the-rescue/#comment-331515 Mihla Mon, 03 Aug 2009 15:09:04 +0000 http://www.bloggingtips.com/?p=8948#comment-331515 In his book, "On Writing," Stephen King wrote "The adverb is not your friend." I agree with him. Lazy writers use adverbs when they can't think of a descriptive verb. To improve your writing, edit by substituting strong verbs for weak verb/adverb combinations. For example, instead of "ran quickly," use "raced" or "sprinted." Which do you prefer: "She frowned angrily as she walked forcefully from the room." or "She scowled as she stomped from the room."? William Zinsser in "On Writing Well" claims most adverbs are unnecessary, and strong verbs are weakened by redundant adverbs. In the above examples, have you ever known anyone to run slowly or frown happily? Before you publish your next blog post, search for words ending in -ly. Try to substitute stronger verbs and nouns so you can eliminate those weak adverbs and adjectives. In his book, "On Writing," Stephen King wrote "The adverb is not your friend." I agree with him. Lazy writers use adverbs when they can't think of a descriptive verb.

To improve your writing, edit by substituting strong verbs for weak verb/adverb combinations. For example, instead of "ran quickly," use "raced" or "sprinted." Which do you prefer: "She frowned angrily as she walked forcefully from the room." or "She scowled as she stomped from the room."?

William Zinsser in "On Writing Well" claims most adverbs are unnecessary, and strong verbs are weakened by redundant adverbs. In the above examples, have you ever known anyone to run slowly or frown happily?

Before you publish your next blog post, search for words ending in -ly. Try to substitute stronger verbs and nouns so you can eliminate those weak adverbs and adjectives.

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