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4 CommentsI know it's been said since time immemorial that adverbs are not a friend of the writer. For many reasons: they can weaken the verb by repeating its meaning, they lengthen the sentence, and they complicate am already long sentence.
I've recently been involved in a debate against an influential web writer who supports adverbial usage. She has recently done a post defending her use of an adverb in one of her blog novels/blooks - and I couldn't agree with her advice. I don't really know why. I do believe, however, that the warning against adverbs is substantiated.
Her argument is basically:
Adverbs have their use because it gives more detail to the audience -> writers avoid adverbs because they have been taught to do so without questioning why -> therefore 'beware-the-adverb' spreads everywhere amongst unquestioning writers/editors.
She describes adverbial usage as 'precise, poetic, and helpful (to understand a difficult verb)'.
Eh?
jensized
Written Feb. 9, 2008 / Report /
Adverbs are bloat. Adverbs are a cop-out for writers who can't think of a strong enough verb to convey what they're saying. The fewer words you require, the bigger impact you make on the reader.
For example: "He looked at me angrily" vs. "He scowled at me." There is no dispute as to which sentence is more powerful. There are so many dynamic verbs in every language that adverbs just are not necessary.
Every writing instructor I've had (all professional journalists) has given me some variation of that explanation, which debunks this:
johnbakeronline
Written Feb. 9, 2008 / Report /
This sentence by the playwrite, Tom Stoppard, illustrates how adverbs may be used correctly:
The bad end unhappily, the good unluckily. That is what tragedy means.
No teacher worth his/her salt ever said you should never use adverbs or adjectives. Only that you should always question their use.
Oli
Written Feb. 9, 2008 / Report /
I'm not sure I could disagree more with that even if I wanted to. Poorly used words of any sort will ruin a sentence.
Or do I mean: Poor words of any sort will ruin a sentence? Altered tense. Phooey.
You also cannot say concise is always the required tool for every written medium. It probably applies to journalism but being verbose also serves a purpose in altering speed and mood. More words (especially when using adverbs) bring a more analytical and forensic approach with them.
Don't write them off completely.
Josh
Written Feb. 9, 2008 / Report /
I'm with Oli. I'll admit that often, adding an adverb to a sentence makes it clunkier while not strengthening or changing the meaning of the sentence very much. However, I think a strict rule of "stay away from adverbs" is going too far. It should be a guideline, something to keep in mind while writing, but a rule? No.