Contrary
to some self-help advice, the adverb should not always be the first to go in
the revision of the first draft.
Yes,
it is often overused, but it is also misunderstood.
Most
often the rule of thumb is to eliminate all adverbs, especially those with an
-ly ending, but a better measure is to read the sentence both with and without
the adverb. If the sentence is stronger
without, then do without the adverb. Another common piece of advice is to
eliminate the adverb and substitute the verb with a stronger version, one that
blends both the original blah verb and the overworked adverb.
But
better yet, why not look at the adverb from a new perspective? Use it to change the meaning of the verb; use
it to contrast with the verb, and not just to modify or intensify the verb.
Do
not look at the adverb as a simple -ly annoyance no one wants to claim, but
look at all its many versions. Besides
the single-word adverb, which when used to contrast with the verb can be very
effective, remember your high school English classes. There is the adverbial clause, the adverbial
infinitive, the adverbial participial phrase.
The
adverb is a swan; not just an ugly duckling. (Pun on the -ly ending.)
Let’s
review:
1.
Opening
adverb (at the start of a sentence and separated by a comma):
Mistakenly, adverbs are usually the first to go in the
revision of the first draft.
2.
Delayed adverb (tucked inside the sentence and
surrounded by commas):
Beginning writers are advised, indiscriminately, to eliminate all
adverbs and replace them with stronger verbs.
3.
Adverbial clause (a clause – has a noun and verb
in it - that explains the verb further):
They edit all adverbs, slashing
as they go, although the original
sentence was stronger because of them.
4.
Adverbial infinitive (an infinitive – to plus the
verb - that explains the verb further):
The trusting, new writer
sometimes sacrifices his voice to pacify
general advice.
5.
Adverbial participial phrase (-ing word that
creates a phrase (non-sentence) that explains the verb)
Studying
the correct use of the adverb, the
writer can contrast and manipulate it to create lyrical prose.
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