Adverbs are Usually, Completely, Totally, Unneeded.  (In Other Words, Avoid Adverbs.)

By Beth Ann Erickson, FilbertPublishing.com

Remember High School English?  Remember sitting in your desk trying to write something “creative?”  If you’re like me, your sentences usually wound up with a whole lotta adverbs… “She glided swiftly to the house where she heard the jolly laugh of her father…”  (I know.  It’s a bad sentence, but it illustrates my point….)

But my local school district is still teaching writing the same way.  Just before school finished for the year, my son came home from his sixth grade class with a homework assignment involving adverbs.  I’ve never seen so many “ly” words in my life!  You should have seen the papers he brought home!  (Guess I’ll have to have him do this assignment too….)

I don’t know why popular teaching techniques are so contrary to good communication, but read any letter to the editor, any sales letter, any local ad and you’ll find a lot of adverb use. 

But here’s the truth:  The overuse of adverbs is taboo in these days of “I’m in a hurry and don’t waste my time.”  If you use too many unnecessary words, your words won’t get read.

Here’s the rule:  If you use an adverb, cut it and use a strong verb whenever possible.

So, what’s an adverb?  It’s any word that describes a verb (or an “action” word.)  Many adverbs end in “ly.”  For example, “quickly, slowly, sexily,” these are all adverbs.

So if you write, “He walked quickly,” just write, “He ran,” and you’ve just created a stronger sentence.

“She spoke softly,” can be turned into “She whispered.”

“She looked at him sexily,” can be transformed into, “Her gaze penetrated his many facades and melted his senses.”  (My son would DIE of embarrassment if he’d seen me write that!)

So, let’s review.  Use strong verbs.  Avoid adverbs.  Shouldn’t be too hard, huh?  Don’t worry if it feels odd to write this way at first.  Soon it will become a habit and good writing will flow from your fingertips like water from a fountain.  (Ugh. How’s that for a metaphor?)

Review anything you’ve written in the last few days.  Cut your adverbs and rework your sentences using strong, active verbs.  Well, at least cut as many adverbs as you can part with… after all you don’t have to get rid of EVERY adverb, just the unnecessary ones…. 

Keep writing and practicing.  You’ll be amazed at your progress.

Beth Ann Erickson is Queen Bee of Filbert Publishing and the only writing ezine that'll make your writing sparkle, help you write killer queries, and get you on the road to publication fast. Better yet, you'll receive the e-booklet "Power Queries" when you sign up for your free subscription. Subscribe today at http://FilbertPublishing.com

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