When writing stories, articles, or essays, understanding the basic building blocks of language is crucial for developing strong, vivid prose. One of these building blocks is the adverb—a word that modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. Adverbs often answer questions like how, when, where, or to what extent something happens.
For example:
• She spoke quietly (how).
• We will meet tomorrow (when).
• They ran away(where).
• The team was extremely happy (to what extent).The Problem with Adverbs
While adverbs can help provide clarity, many writers tend to overuse them, especially in a way that tells rather than shows. Consider this example:
“He ran quickly.”
Instead of using the adverb “quickly,” it can be more powerful to describe the action with more specific imagery:
“He sprinted, his feet pounding the pavement as his breath came in sharp bursts.”
In this revision, the reader can visualize the speed and urgency of his movement without relying on a vague adverb. The scene becomes more immersive, allowing the reader to feel the intensity.
Show, Don’t Tell
Relying on adverbs can weaken prose by serving as a shortcut for richer description. As writers, our goal is to draw readers into a world where they can experience the action and emotion firsthand. Instead of telling the reader that someone is angrily shouting, show the anger through actions, tone, or body language:
By focusing on concrete actions, you allow the reader to infer the emotion, rather than simply stating it.
• He slammed his fists on the table, his voice rising with each word.When to Use Adverbs
That said, not all adverbs are unnecessary. Sometimes they provide useful emphasis or clarity. The key is moderation. Use them intentionally, where they add meaning or nuance that a description alone might not convey. For instance, in dialogue, a well-placed adverb can capture a subtlety that might be missed:
• “I don’t care,” she said softly.Here, “softly” could communicate a quiet tone that contrasts with the harshness of the words, adding depth to the character’s emotions.
Bring the Story to Life
When you’re writing, always ask yourself: “Is this adverb really adding something valuable, or am I just using it to fill space?” If the latter, challenge yourself to dig deeper into your characters, settings, or actions, and create prose that shows the reader exactly what’s happening.
Meanwhile, at Dreamers…
Dreamers Magazine Issue 18 Now Available
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