Write Adverbs With A Twist Or Skip Them

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Writing Tip

Write using adverbs that surprise the reader. Or skip them

First mentioned/ideated by: Roy Peter Clark

There’s a time and place for adverbs. Especially if you can use them in unexpected ways to add interest to your writing.
If not, avoid.

Here are three tips on how to write adverbs in unexpected ways:

a. Use adverbs to create opposites or contrasts.

For example, “She spoke quietly” becomes “She whispered fiercely.”

b. Or replace adverbs with appropriate verbs.

For example, “he quickly ran away” becomes “he sprinted away.”

c. And they can also be replaced by concrete descriptions.

For example, instead of of "I talked to her for a while," you can write "We conversed for hours on end."

This is how you can make good use of adverbs when appropriate or eliminate them from your writing.

Topics
Business Writing, Content Writing, Copywriting, Persuasive Writing