How To Avoid Using The Word VERY in English

Avoid using the word VERY because it’s lazy.

There are a few quotes that verify this idea and are stated below:

“Substitute ‘damn’ every time you’re inclined to write ‘very;’ your editor will delete it and the writing will be just as it should be. ~Mark Twain”

“‘Very’ is the most useless word in the English language and can always come out. More than useless, it is treacherous because it invariably weakens what it is intended to strengthen. ~Florence King”

“So avoid using the word ‘very’ because it’s lazy. A man is not very tired, he is exhausted. Don’t use very sad, use morose. Language was invented for one reason, boys – to woo women – and, in that endeavor, laziness will not do. It also won’t do in your essays. ~N.H. Kleinbaum”

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How to Avoid Using the Word Very

One way to avoid using the word “very” is to use more descriptive words or phrases. For example, instead of saying “very tired,” you could say “exhausted.” Instead of saying “very happy,” you could say “overjoyed.” Additionally, you can use adverbs that are stronger than “very,” such as “completely,” “totally,” or “utterly.” Another way to avoid using “very” is to use a phrase that expresses the same thing in a different way, such as “to a great degree” instead of “very much” or “extremely” instead of “very”.