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You know what an adverb is right? An adverb is a word that helps define a verb. Do you want to change how you write? To make your writing better?
Then watch what you do with your adverbs.
Most of the time when people use adverbs all they are doing is making the verb more defined. Doing this doesn’t really add anything to the sentence. It just makes the verb stronger, and does that verb really need that strengthening? Generally not. Consider these:
She smiled prettily.
He laughed heartily.
The boat swiftly moved across the waves.
What would happen if you changed the adverb to either a stronger, better verb or used an adverb to change the meaning of the verb? Changing the meaning, changes the punch of the verb.
She sadly smiled.
He guffawed.
The boat dashed across the waves.
When you do this, you tighten up your sentences giving them more punch, and create elbow room in your sentences.
As you write, pay attention to what you are doing with your verbs and adverbs. We’ve already considered what this means for adjectives. Replace weak verb/adverb combinations with strong verbs. For instance consider these sentences
The rabbit went quickly through the garden.
The rabbit raced through the garden.
Djedet listened, his expression changing slowly.
Djedet concentrated, his expression deepening.
Which works better? Which describes action in a way that is brief and descriptive with room to grow?
As you write, consider well the verbs and adverbs you are using. How can say what you want to say, better? Can you become more clear, in a succinct, descriptive manner?
Write well!
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