Sep '24 (edited) • Quizzes
Quick Workout for Your Writing Muscles
There's a school of thought that tells writers to avoid "very."
Subscribers to this viewpoint argue the word, generally used for emphasis, is lazy and boring.
Why write "very angry," they say, when "furious" is simpler and more evocative?
I often find myself using "very" for emphasis, especially in casual or rushed communication.
But I agree it's usually better to find a stronger word that captures the meaning "very" hopes to convey.
Below a list of commonly used "very" phrases compiled in a post I recently saw on X.
I removed the answers so you can practice finding replacement words that avoid the need for further emphasis.
Post your own answers below, but don't read anyone's else's until you've had a go yourself!
very angry
very bad
very beautiful
very big
very bright
very boring
very clean
very cold
very dark
very difficult
very dirty
very easy
very exciting
very expensive
very fast
very funny
very good
very happy
very high
very hot
very hungry
very loud
very low
very old
very poor
very quiet
very rich
very sad
very slow
very small
very smart
very short
very strong
very stupid
very tall
very thirsty
very tired
very ugly
very weak
very young
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Quick Workout for Your Writing Muscles
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