Ten Words To Use Instead of “Very”
A few synonyms you can use in place of very are incredibly, absolutely, and tremendously.
- I am incredibly grateful.
- I am absolutely grateful.
- I am tremendously grateful.
What’s Wrong With “Very”?
Very is a popular word because it’s so versatile. As an adverb, it modifies adjectives (or other adverbs) by adding intensity.
However, very is often overused as an intensifier and can therefore weaken writing. Let’s check out this paragraph:
Do you see how constantly using the word very can ruin the flow of your writing? It also makes it more difficult to visualize.
Luckily, the English language has several synonyms you can use instead. Below, we’ll go through a list of very synonyms, but also show you other ways to remove this word from your writing.
Use Another Word for “Very”
There are many ways to remove the word very from your writing. The easiest is to simply replace it with another adverb.
Please remember that very has different uses and meanings. Although it can also be used as an adjective that means “exact” (e.g., It was that very man), the synonyms below replace very when being used as an adverb that means “extremely.”
1. Absolutely
2. Exceptionally
3. Extremely
4. Incredibly
5. Tremendously
6. Awfully
7. Deeply
8. Exceedingly
9. Excessively
10. Terribly
Please be aware that very is used often because it fits in many sentences, regardless of the scenario. The synonyms above, however, aren’t necessarily as flexible. For instance, absolutely, exceptionally, extremely, incredibly, and tremendously tend to be used in a positive sense to show that something is important or impressive. Conversely, awfully, deeply, exceedingly, excessively, and terribly are typically used in more somber and serious situations.
Use More Accurate Synonyms
Another way you can remove the word very from your writing is to use stronger vocabulary. For example, instead of saying very pretty, you can simply use a more accurate (and concise) adjective, such as gorgeous.
Here are a few more examples of better adjectives you can use:
Use Descriptive Writing
Once you become familiar with synonyms of very and how to use more accurate adjectives, you can try another strategy to completely remove very from your writing: rewriting the sentence to include more descriptive writing.
The first example is direct, but it doesn’t help you visualize the scene. The second example provides vivid descriptions, which allows your audience to better envision your writing. Keep in mind, though, that there’s a time and place for descriptive writing. Only use it when you know it’s appropriate.
One “Very” Last Tip To Improve Your Writing
It almost seems too easy, but removing very (and other intensifying adverbs like really) from your vocabulary is an incredibly effective way to enhance your writing.
However, there’s an even simpler way to sharpen your writing skills: by using LanguageTool.
LanguageTool is an advanced writing assistant that supports over thirty languages. It can check for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors, regardless of how common or complex, but it can also strengthen the text in its entirety by suggesting stylistic improvements and making it easy to rephrase sentences. It’s an extremely useful tool, whether you’re a professional writer or just starting out. Give it a try—it’s free!
