How to Write a Good Story

'Ly' Adverbs (II)

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This article is by © Erick Emert 2001, and is my most favourite article on adverbs ever :D

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"Adverbs modify verbs and other modifiers.

He spoke to her quietly. [modifies the verb spoke]

She sang extremely well. [modifies the adverb well]."

~Barron's Essentials of English; 4th Edition.

No one is suggesting that the use of adverbs in speech or writing is against the rules of the English language. This is NOT the case. So if using "ly" ending adverbs and adjectives doesn't break the rules of usage, what's the big deal? To make the point about as clear as I can - using "ly" ending adverbs is BAD WRITING for fiction writers.

Throughout the years I've been critiquing, this is the most common writing fault I've seen. It's also the fault that, when I point it out, writers will defend to the teeth. The most prolific arguments seem to come from experienced writers who should know better:

"This works best the way it is."

"It was necessary to describe how he spoke."

"I wouldn't change it if I could."

"It fits what I wanted to say."

"There's nothing wrong with this."

"I like the way it sounds."

Why would decent writers go out of their way to support bad writing? One reason is you can find the use of "ly" adverbs in published work:

"No," Sephrenia said sharply. - David Eddings, The Ruby Knight

"The wife helped," Mina said shortly. - C. J. Cherryh, Rider at the Gate

"You have cut open my liver," said the man accusingly. - T.H. White, The Once and Future King

"I'm fine," Anna said automatically. - L. E. Modesiltt, Jr. - The Soprano Sorceress

Suddenly the Librarian felt very alone. - Terry Pratchett - Lords and Ladies

So if some of the best writers use "ly" ending adverbs, what's the beef? The beef is - it's still not good writing. Also, you have to look through many pages to find these examples. If I see one "ly" adverb in a 300 word exercise, I don't mention it. However, the people I signal out for over-use of adverbs often have two, three, even six or seven of them in a 300 word exercise. I've even seen two or three in one paragraph. You won't see the pros doing that. Even bad editors don't let that pass in most cases.

At this point you might be thinking I have an axe to grind concerning this issue. Perhaps, but maybe not. I read an excellent article in Writer's Digest back in '96 on the overuse of "ly" adverbs and adjectives. I don't have the article anymore, but it stood me on end. I checked over my own work and saw it was sprinkled with the little devils. I made up my mind not to allow them in my work anymore.

The article suggested that upon completion of a first draft, one should use the "Edit - Find" feature of your word processors. Then type in "ly," hit "find," and rewrite any sentence that contains an "ly" ending word in it. I found this to be excellent advice. It made my writing stronger, tighter, more powerful, and easier to read.

To show that my concern for this writing fault is neither obsession nor witch hunt, I'd like to quote from a varity of books and articles on improving your writing: 

(See next chapter)