Monday, May 30, 2005

Editing Tip: Adverbs & Adjectives

The English language is blessed with more words than any other (probably). This being the case, it is often tempting to flex our vocabulary muscles and include as many descriptors as we can. But don't!

Do your readers a favor and trim the time they have to spend poring over your work. Lessen the word count by taking full advantage of the English vocabulary.

Rules of thumb:

Try to incorporate the adverb in the verb.

  • "She talked loudly" could be "she shouted," "she harangued," "she complained," "she cursed."
  • "He left quickly" could be "he fled," "he vaulted," "he vamoosed," "he skedaddled."
  • (I'd skedaddle too, after a harangue like that.)

Only include an adjective if it makes a difference to the noun.

  • "The red cardinal" is redundant. If you saw a blue cardinal, it would warrant the adjective. (Of course, up here in Boston, it's "the winning Cardinal" that we never see. And the Sox are always Red.)

As most people agree Blaise Pascal said first, "I have made this letter longer than usual, because I lack the time to make it short."

Take the time, and make an impression.


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