![]() Intensifiers can be effective if you limit their use. If everything is very important, then nothing is important. ![]() This quotation captures why you should use intensifiers sparingly. (Issue 1) Use intensifiers very sparingly. That said, there are three key issues related to intensifiers. (If you do this, ensure you Find and Replace (which is CTRL H) "very" otherwise words like "e very" and "e verything" fall victim to the cull.) Intensifiers are disliked to the extent that some copy editors start their work by running a macro on their PCs that deletes every "very" from the document. (There is no need for an intensifier with a strong adjective like "delicious." In fact, "very delicious" and "extremely delicious" sound unnatural.) When writing formally, the level of intensity should be achieved through word choice (e.g., by using strong adjectives instead of intensifiers). Intensifiers are best avoided in formal writing because many consider their use as lazy writing. Read also about limiting modifiers (e.g., "only," "hardly," "merely"). Intensifiers are sometimes called "boosters" or "amplifiers." Intensifiers that weaken are sometimes called "downtoners."
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |