I’ve talked before about trying to avoid using very and really in your writing. There is no good reason to use them as modifiers when you can just use a more descriptive word. Here are 10 examples of common very phrases and some alternatives you can use in their place:
Category: Writing
You should replace “percent” with % when writing for the web
One thing I see a lot of online, especially in news sources, is the spelling out of percent when indicating a percentage. Here are a few examples:
Curse words: where do they come from?
This post contains curse words, so if that offends you, please note that you’ve been forewarned. Have you ever wondered why some words are curse words but others aren’t? Why is shit considered vulgar, for example, but defecate isn’t? Why is fuck profane, but copulate isn’t. Why can we say derriere in polite company, but not ass? Well, ultimately, it comes… Continue reading Curse words: where do they come from?
How to use an apostrophe after a name ending with S
One of the most confusing punctuation rules is when to use an apostrophe to make a name possessive if it ends in S.
Difference between waver and waiver
This is part of the difference between series. Recently, someone asked me to explain the difference between the words waver and waiver. Here’s the difference between the two.
Difference between whoa and woah
This is part of the difference between series. Recently, I came across the following Twitter exchange, which highlighted an interesting phenomenon: apparently everyone doesn’t spell whoa like I do:
Correcting grammar is classist
I’d like to take a moment to talk about correcting grammar. (Or spelling, or punctuation, or writing in general.) I get paid to correct others’ grammar for a living. I read dozens of pages every day, looking for editing mistakes. Sometimes, it makes my head hurt. So, when I log out for the day, the… Continue reading Correcting grammar is classist
ASAP doesn’t mean immediately
Last week, I received an email from a potential client asking if I could edit an academic paper due for publishing in a journal. When I was gathering information on details, one question I asked was whether there was a deadline. They responded with, “as soon as possible.” This phrase has mildly irritated me for… Continue reading ASAP doesn’t mean immediately
Difference between rebuke and refute
This is part of the difference between series. Recently, someone asked me to explain difference between the words rebuke and refute. Here’s the difference between the two.
Difference between oriented and orientated
This is part of the difference between series. Recently, someone asked me to explain difference between the words oriented and orientated. Here’s the difference between the two. Actually, there is no difference.