45 ways to avoid using the word 'very'

In case you have missed this wonderful post by writerswrite.co.za, here's the link: 45 ways to avoid using the word 'very'.

I hate the word 'very.' I try to avoid it at all costs. It cheapens the sentence and most of the time is useless. Never rely on 'very' for expressing a character's emotion. Find a word that is expressive by itself.

In my recent 107.000 word novel the word 'very' appears 70 times. After the final edit I will get rid of at least the half. No, I will get rid of 60 veries. Get rid of them. Clean up your MS, your readers will be very happy.

photo © Amanda Patterson