6/22/2017 222WaystoAvoidtheWordVery

222WaystoAvoidtheWordVery
PostedonApr4/16

Areyouveryawareoftheveryprolificadvicefromveryeruditesourcestellingyoutobeverywary
ofusingveryinyourwriting?ImveryhappytosayImverywillingtohelpwiththefollowingvery
extensivelistofwaystoavoidvery.

Doyouseewhathappenedinthepreviousparagraph?Iusedverysomanytimes,nine,tobe
exact,thatitlostitsemphasisanexcellentexampleofthetypeofwritingtoavoid.

Youshoulddeletemost,ifnotall,instancesofthisfrowneduponword.Therestofthetime,you
canusuallyfindasinglewordthatworksbetterthantheoriginalphrase.

Ifveryisamisdemeanor,adoubleinstanceofthewordisavery,verybigfelony.Ratherthan
emphasizing,therepetitiondilutesthepowerofyourprose.

Sorry,youwontfoolyourreaderswithsubstitutessuchasreally,truly,genuinely,sincerely,
exceedingly,especially,truthfully,thoroughly,andtheirrelatives.

Isyourfemaleprotagonistreallyangry?Whynotsaysheisfurious?Whataboutyourmale
protagonistwhoisespeciallystrong?Youcancallhimbrawnyorpowerful.

Exceptiontotherule:Indialogue,anythinggoes.Peopleoftenuseslangandincorrectgrammar
whenspeaking.Ifyouwantyourcharacterstobreatheonthepage,theirspeechshouldsound
realistic.

Moreresources.

http://kathysteinemann.com/Musings/howtoavoidveryinwriting/ 1/11
6/22/2017 222WaystoAvoidtheWordVery

FindadditionalinformationandtipsinTheWritersLexicon,availableinbothdigitalandprint
editions.

Theveryhelpfullist.

Insteadofmodifyingwithvery,trythesuggestedalternativesinthefollowinglist.

Enjoy!

P.S.Ifyourehavingaverydifficulttimeremovingveryfromyourwriting,rememberMarkTwains
advice:Substitutedamneverytimeyoureinclinedtowriteveryyoureditorwilldeleteit,andthe
writingwillbejustasitshouldbe.

veryaccurate precise,exact,unimpeachable,perfect,flawless

veryaggressive forceful,overconfident,insistent,hardline

veryamazed astounded,flabbergasted,astonished,shocked

veryangry furious,irate,enraged,incensed,fuming,livid

veryanxious dismayed,apprehensive,restless,fretful

veryaware conscious,savvy,apprised,mindful,cognizant

verybad awful,deplorable,appalling,rotten,miserable

verybasic rudimentary,primary,fundamental,simple

verybeautiful gorgeous,stunning,exquisite,magnificent

verybloody gory,brutal,barbarous,savage,murderous

verybony skeletal,angular,spindly,gaunt,emaciated

veryboring tedious,dreary,uninteresting,mindnumbing

verybright brilliant,dazzling,radiant,blinding,intense

verycapable efficient,competent,adept,proficient,skillful

verycareful meticulous,fastidious,precise,scrupulous

verycaring compassionate,kind,attentive,sympathetic

verycivil polite,courteous,respectful,cultured,mannerly

veryclean spotless,immaculate,stainless,shining,hygienic

veryclear transparent,sheer,translucent,glassy,crystal

veryclever astute,brilliant,shrewd,ingenious,crafty,sharp

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6/22/2017 222WaystoAvoidtheWordVery

verycold frigid,bitter,icy,freezing,glacial,frosty,polar

verycolorful vibrant,vivid,kaleidoscopic,variegated,vivid

verycompetitive ambitious,driven,cutthroat,bloodthirsty

veryconcerned worried,troubled,upset,distressed,agitated

veryconfident poised,cool,selfassured,selfreliant,secure

veryconfused baffled,befuddled,mystified,clueless,dazed

veryconscious deliberate,intentional,premeditated,willful

veryconsistent constant,unfailing,uniform,harmonious,same

verycontrary belligerent,argumentative,confrontational

veryconventional conservative,common,predictable,unoriginal

verycorrupt fraudulent,crooked,unethical,dishonest,rotten

verycreamy velvety,buttery,rich,smooth,milky,greasy

verycreepy unnerving,skincrawling,spooky,sinister,weird

verycritical vital,crucial,essential,indispensable,integral

verycrunchy crispy,brittle,crackling,gravelly,crusty,gritty

verycurious inquisitive,nosy,prying,snoopy,quizzical

verycute adorable,endearing,delightful,pretty,charming

verydangerous perilous,precarious,unsafe,treacherous,dicey

verydark black,inky,ebony,sooty,lightless,starless,unlit

verydecent civilized,upright,courteous,respectable,noble

verydeep abysmal,bottomless,cavernous,yawning,vast

verydeformed twisted,contorted,misshapen,mutilated

verydelicate subtle,slight,fragile,frail,flimsy,insubstantial

verydesperate frantic,fraught,grave,serious,hopeless,dire

verydetermined resolute,adamant,obstinate,tenacious,dogged

verydifferent unusual,distinctive,atypical,dissimilar,unlike

verydifficult complicated,complex,demanding,arduous

verydirty filthy,foul,grimy,polluted,squalid,dilapidated

verydisagreeable contrary,obnoxious,offensive,repugnant,rude
http://kathysteinemann.com/Musings/howtoavoidveryinwriting/ 3/11
6/22/2017 222WaystoAvoidtheWordVery

verydismal miserable,cheerless,depressing,morbid

verydistinct clear,definite,patent,evident,apparent

verydramatic theatrical,histrionic,melodramatic,vivid

verydry arid,parched,sere,dehydrated,withered

verydubious suspicious,skeptical,cynical,unconvinced

veryeager impatient,ardent,fervent,keen,earnest

veryeasy effortless,uncomplicated,unchallenging,simple

veryeducational enlightening,edifying,informative,revealing

veryefficient competent,proficient,resourceful,able

veryembarrassed mortified,humiliated,discomfited,ashamed

veryemotional demonstrative,sensitive,temperamental

veryenthusiastic zealous,eager,fervent,vehement,ebullient

veryexciting exhilarating,electrifying,thrilling,breathtaking

veryexpensive costly,exorbitant,overpriced,extravagant

veryfair equitable,impartial,neutral,nonpartisan

veryfaithful loyal,devoted,staunch,unwavering,stalwart

veryfamiliar common,established,typical,traditional

veryfamous renowned,eminent,legendary,celebrated

veryfar distant,remote,isolated,secluded,extrasolar

veryfast rapid,swift,fleet,blistering,supersonic

veryfat obese,corpulent,rotund,blubbery,round

veryfertile prolific,productive,fruitful,rich,lush,fecund

veryfew meager,scarce,scant,limited,negligible

veryfierce vicious,ferocious,savage,keen,intense,feral

veryfirm solid,hard,rigid,set,frozen,unyielding

veryfizzy effervescent,frothy,foamy,sudsy

veryfluffy downy,fuzzy,fleecy,feathery,cottony

veryfond devoted,attentive,enamored,doting

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6/22/2017 222WaystoAvoidtheWordVery

veryfragile tenuous,unstable,precarious,frail,delicate

veryfriendly gregarious,outgoing,chummy,demonstrative

veryfrustrating exasperating,infuriating,disheartening,vexing

veryfull overflowing,bursting,crammed,packed,sated

veryfunny hilarious,hysterical,sidesplitting,rollicking

verygood superb,superior,excellent,outstanding

verygraceful flowing,supple,lithe,willowy,lissome

verygreedy gluttonous,avaricious,materialistic,insatiable

veryhairy hirsute,shaggy,furry,bushy,unshaven

veryhappy ecstatic,overjoyed,euphoric,blissful,elated

veryhard inflexible,stony,steely,unyielding,tough,rigid

veryhealthy hale,hardy,flourishing,fit,robust,vigorous

veryheavy leaden,ponderous,weighty,dense,hefty

veryhelpful supportive,obliging,accommodating,invaluable

veryhonest candid,sincere,authentic,forthright,frank

veryhot burning,scalding,blistering,scorching,searing

veryhungry starving,famished,ravenous,hollow,voracious

veryill infirm,bedridden,frail,terminal,incurable

veryimmature childish,infantile,naive,jejune,callow,green

veryimmoral depraved,decadent,debauched,iniquitous

veryimportant crucial,vital,essential,paramount,imperative

veryimpressive extraordinary,remarkable,aweinspiring

veryinebriated intoxicated,drunk,soused,smashed,plastered

veryinformal casual,unceremonious,easygoing,simple

veryintelligent brainy,clever,bright,gifted,intellectual,astute

veryintense severe,extreme,fierce,overpowering,acute

veryinteresting fascinating,remarkable,riveting,compelling

veryjealous envious,resentful,grudging,green,bitter

veryjuicy succulent,moist,ripe,luscious,fleshy,syrupy
http://kathysteinemann.com/Musings/howtoavoidveryinwriting/ 5/11
6/22/2017 222WaystoAvoidtheWordVery

verylarge huge,humongous,mammoth,gargantuan

verylavish excessive,opulent,posh,luxurious,sumptuous

verylight buoyant,insubstantial,weightless,airy,ethereal

verylikely expected,imminent,probable,unavoidable

verylively energetic,vivacious,exuberant,spirited

verylogical rational,cogent,credible,consistent,sound

verylonely isolated,deserted,forlorn,solitary,abandoned

verylong extended,extensive,interminable,protracted

veryloud deafening,thunderous,booming,blaring

veryloved adored,precious,cherished,revered,beloved

verylucky charmed,blessed,favored,fortunate,fluky

verymoody morose,temperamental,unstable,changeable

verymuch plenty,oceans,heaps,scads,oodles,loads

verymuchso ofcourse,okay,yes,absolutely,precisely

verymusical melodic,melodious,harmonious,dulcet

verynear handy,closeby,alongside,convenient,nearby

veryneat orderly,tidy,uncluttered,immaculate,spotless

verynegative pessimistic,defeatist,cynical,critical,fatalistic

verynew novel,innovative,fresh,original,cuttingedge

verynice enjoyable,pleasant,agreeable,satisfying

verynumerous abundant,copious,myriad,profuse

veryobvious apparent,clear,evident,plain,visible

veryoccasionally seldom,rarely,infrequently,sporadically

veryold grizzled,aged,hoary,ancient,grey,decrepit

veryopinionated dogmatic,cocksure,biased,partisan

veryoptimistic enthusiastic,buoyant,encouraged,positive

verypainful excruciating,agonizing,searing,unbearable

verypale white,pallid,ashen,sallow,colorless,pasty

http://kathysteinemann.com/Musings/howtoavoidveryinwriting/ 6/11
6/22/2017 222WaystoAvoidtheWordVery

verypersuasive convincing,believable,compelling,charming

verypleasant satisfying,fulfilling,rewarding,gratifying

verypoor destitute,indigent,penniless,impoverished

verypopular trendy,fashionable,admired,prevalent

verypositive optimistic,upbeat,affirmative,constructive

verypractical realistic,sensible,functional,doable,viable

verypresentable shipshape,wellgroomed,tidy,personable

verypure unadulterated,wholesome,pristine,clean

veryquiet noiseless,silent,still,hushed,soundless

veryrare scarce,sparse,unique,exceptional,peerless

veryrealistic genuine,credible,authentic,rational,true

veryreasonable equitable,judicious,sensible,practical,fair

veryrecent thelatest,current,fresh,uptodate

veryrelevant germane,pertinent,appropriate,significant

veryreligious spiritual,devout,pious,fervent,dedicated

veryresponsible dependable,conscientious,reliable,steadfast

veryrisky perilous,hazardous,treacherous,precarious

veryroomy spacious,expansive,vast,palatial,commodious

veryrough coarse,jagged,rugged,craggy,gritty,broken

veryrowdy boisterous,disorderly,raucous,unruly,wild

veryrude vulgar,insolent,offensive,derogatory,boorish

verysad desolate,disconsolate,wretched,dejected

verysafe harmless,benign,secure,protected,sheltered

verysame identical,matching,indistinguishable,exact

verysassy impertinent,cheeky,insolent,disrespectful

veryscared terrified,petrified,terrorstricken,panicked

veryserious solemn,somber,stern,dour,melancholy,grim

verysevere acute,grave,critical,serious,brutal,relentless

verysexy seductive,steamy,provocative,erotic,sensual
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6/22/2017 222WaystoAvoidtheWordVery

veryshaky tremulous,quaking,vibrating,unsteady

veryshort stubby,squat,dwarf,diminutive,petite

veryshy timid,backward,introverted,withdrawn

verysignificant key,noteworthy,momentous,major,vital

verysilky sleek,smooth,satiny,glossy,lustrous,shiny

verysimilar alike,akin,analogous,comparable,equivalent

verysimple easy,straightforward,effortless,uncomplicated

veryslow sluggish,sedate,plodding,creeping,snaillike

verysmall tiny,miniscule,infinitesimal,microscopic,wee

verysmooth flat,glassy,polished,level,even,unblemished

verysoft malleable,yielding,spongy,muted,doughy

verysorry remorseful,repentant,penitent,contrite

verysour acerbic,tart,vinegary,biting,harsh,caustic

veryspecific precise,exact,explicit,definite,unambiguous

verystinky putrid,fetid,rank,rancid,putrescent,noxious

verystrange weird,eerie,bizarre,uncanny,peculiar,odd

verystrict stern,austere,severe,rigorous,harsh,rigid

verystrong muscular,brawny,rugged,powerful,tough

verystupid idiotic,dense,vacuous,ridiculous,inane

verysubstantial considerable,significant,extensive,ample

verysuccessful lucrative,productive,thriving,prosperous

verysudden unexpected,abrupt,precipitous,unforeseen

verysuitable appropriate,fitting,seemly,proper,correct

verysure positive,persuaded,certain,convinced,absolute

verysuspicious skeptical,distrustful,wary,guarded,leery

verysweet syrupy,sugary,honeyed,cloying,candied

verytactile touchable,palpable,physical,perceptible

verytall towering,lofty,multistory,soaring,statuesque

http://kathysteinemann.com/Musings/howtoavoidveryinwriting/ 8/11
6/22/2017 222WaystoAvoidtheWordVery

verytame docile,submissive,meek,compliant,subdued

verytasty delectable,mouthwatering,scrumptious,divine

verytempting irresistible,enticing,tantalizing,alluring

verytense overwrought,rigid,taut,strained,agitated

veryterrible dreadful,horrendous,horrific,shocking

verythin gaunt,scrawny,emaciated,haggard,skeletal

verytired exhausted,spent,frazzled,bushed,drained

verytraditional conventional,established,customary,habitual

verytreacherous traitorous,disloyal,unfaithful,perfidious

veryugly hideous,revolting,repugnant,grotesque

veryunfair unjust,bigoted,prejudiced,inequitable

veryunlikely improbable,implausible,doubtful,dubious

veryunusual abnormal,extraordinary,uncommon,unique

veryuseful expedient,effective,nifty,handy,valuable

veryvaluable precious,priceless,treasured,inestimable

veryviolent abusive,savage,barbarous,cutthroat,cruel

veryvisible conspicuous,exposed,obvious,prominent

verywarm stifling,hot,sultry,sweltering,oppressive

verywary skeptical,suspicious,leery,vigilant,distrustful

veryweak feeble,frail,delicate,debilitated,fragile,sickly

verywell superb,fine,fabulous,allright,okay,good

verywet saturated,soaked,waterlogged,sopping

verywicked evil,sinful,villainous,nefarious,fiendish

verywide vast,expansive,sweeping,boundless,distended

verywidespread extensive,pervasive,prevalent,rampant

verywild untamed,feral,unmanageable,uncontrollable

verywindy roaring,blustery,turbulent,howling,wild

verywise sagacious,sage,astute,enlightened,shrewd

veryworried distressed,distraught,overwrought,upset
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6/22/2017 222WaystoAvoidtheWordVery

veryyoung undeveloped,fledgling,immature,budding

veryzealous driven,ambitious,motivated,passionate

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5THOUGHTSON222WAYSTOAVOIDTHEWORDVERY

Dee
onApr4/16at5:34amsaid:

Thankyou.Nowcanyoudooneforlookorlooking.Itishardtowriteromancewithout
usingthesewords.Itwouldbeahugeblessing.IfyoudopleasetagmesomehowsoIdont
missit.
fiddledeedeebooks.wordpress.com

KathySteinemann
onApr4/16at6:28amsaid:

Thanks,Dee.

Oh,yes.Thatsanexcellentsuggestion.IhadanotherpostinmindfornextMonday,
butIthinkIlluseyourideainstead.

Thumbsup!

KathySteinemann
onApr4/16at8:46amsaid:

http://kathysteinemann.com/Musings/howtoavoidveryinwriting/ 10/11
6/22/2017 222WaystoAvoidtheWordVery

Dee,didyoumeanlookastolookwiththeeyesorastoseem,appear?

monicazwikstra
onFeb8/17at9:27amsaid:

Lookisatoughoneformeaswell.Lookasinwitheyesandinappearsor
seems.

KathySteinemann
onFeb8/17at9:37amsaid:

Ah,IthinkIhavejustwhatyouneed,Monica:150+WaystoSay
LookLikeorSeemLikeand125WaystoSayLook(asin
ToSee).

http://kathysteinemann.com/Musings/howtoavoidveryinwriting/ 11/11