CHAPTER 9-4
Limiting the use of adjectives and adverbs
The reason to limit the use of adjectives and adverbs is that they often have vague or subjective
meanings. Instead of using an adjective, look for a more precise noun. Instead of using an adverb, look
for a stronger and more descriptive verb. The following adverbs are called “intensifiers” because writers
use them to try to “intensify” the meaning of the verb they modify. You can usually omit them without
losing any meaning.
 really
 very
 even
 just
 carefully
 truthfully
Instead of using these adverbs, you can frequently find a verb with a stronger meaning. For example:
walk slowly
walk gracefully
walk drunkenly
walk purposefully
walk aimlessly
walk carelessly
plod
glide
lurch
stride
wander
amble
Instead of using adverb–adjective combinations, you can frequently find an adjective with a stronger
meaning. For example:
very rushed
really fancy
truly sorry
extremely active
totally afraid
harried
elegant
remorseful
frenetic
terrified