5 Qualifiers That Make the Cut

1. Very. It means “that much more so,” but sometimes less is more.

2. Pretty. It looks good, but its beauty is pixel-deep.

3. Really. It’s often added for emphasis, but remove it for true emphasis.

4. So. It’s like the above, and is often added more for its sound than for its depth.

5. Somewhat. It makes sentences vague.

Quotes

“Death to all modifiers, he declared one day, and out of every letter that passed through his hands went every adverb and every adjective.” ~ Joseph Heller, Catch-22

“We often rely on qualifiers — especially intensifiers — because we either don’t know or don’t take the time to find the appropriate word.” ~ The Writing Center: Qualifiers, UNC College of Arts & Sciences

Comments? Suggestions? Need help? Feel free to contact me.

Michelle Troutman
classywriting.com

By Michelle Troutman

For more than ten years, Michelle Troutman has crafted newsletters and other content for service providers. She has spent a decade creating attention-getting e-newsletters for law and economic development firms. Her marketing and business administration background and education enhance clear and persuasive copy.

Through features in publications like "Attorney at Work" and "Law Fuel," and her e-newsletter and YouTube channel, she inspires professionals to create engaging content. She enjoys helping businesses who serve others reach their marketing goals.

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