Correct Use
- To enhance your writing, avoid using the words “very” and “really.”
- Instead, use the adjectival form of descriptive words in your writing.
- Using "really" as an intensifier can weaken your writing. Try using a less common adverb like strongly, truly, or highly.
- ○ I am
“Really” and “Very” as Overused Adverbs
Particularly long texts can appear highly repetitive if the author doesn’t use specific and precise language. This article will show you how to deal with too many really’s and very’s in your writing, and how to avoid the colorless intensifiers in the first place.
I am very hungry at the moment. Let’s really cook something.
Tip 1: Use Descriptive Verbs Instead of “Very” + Adjective
I am starving at the moment. Let’s really cook something.
Use the adjectival form of descriptive verbs in your writing. Starving (from the verb to starve) is shorter, more specific, and truly more descriptive than very hungry.
| Instead of saying: really / very + adjective | Go for: an adjective derived from a verb |
|---|---|
| really / very cold | freezing |
| really / very sad | depressing, depressed |
| really / very confusing | baffling, puzzling |
Tip 2: Use Another (More Accurate) Adjective
I am famished / ravenous at the moment. Let’s really cook something.
The adjectives famished and ravenous share a similar meaning with very hungry, but exaggerate the statement even more. You should use these extreme adjectives carefully and sparsely.
| Instead of saying: really / very + adjective | Go for: a different adjective |
|---|---|
| really / very happy | auspicious, cheerful, jolly |
| really / very big | massive, huge, colossal |
| really / very old | ancient, dated, old-fashioned |
| Instead of saying: very + adjective | Go for: a different adjective |
|---|---|
| very lazy | indolent |
| very clean | spotless |
| very loud | deafening |
| very risky | perilous |
| very sweet | luscious |
| very colorful | vibrant |
Tip 3: Use an Adverb Other Than “Really”
I am really hungry at the moment. Let’s truly cook something.
Really is an adverb that not only modifies adjectives, but verbs as well. So, when it’s used as an intensifier for an action, you should alternate it with a different (less common) adverb like strongly, truly, or highly.
LanguageTool offers you incredibly helpful synonyms—concise words with the same meaning—in a convenient and intuitive manner. So be very careful with your use of very.
