tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7454222325290313520.post7746439598903573162..comments2024-03-28T05:13:12.886-04:00Comments on QueryTracker Blog: Truly, Madly, Deeply: Thoughts on AdverbsPatrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17771807777617244491noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7454222325290313520.post-48013721738314443892009-08-26T16:55:26.460-04:002009-08-26T16:55:26.460-04:00Great video. I think that the challenge is to use ...Great video. I think that the challenge is to use adverbs and adjectives that truly add to sentence.Tara McClendonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07246124060126729229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7454222325290313520.post-14710645495511702732009-08-25T16:52:15.670-04:002009-08-25T16:52:15.670-04:00I'm still on vacation so I don't have any ...I'm still on vacation so I don't have any examples off the top of my head (don't ask why I'm sitting in the library on the Internet while everyone else is at the beach--but only 20 more minutes then I can dragged my 9 year old out of here). However, J.K. Rowling is a big fan of adverbs, especially with her dialogue tags.Stinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11415189347501942340noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7454222325290313520.post-31571173957877764082009-08-25T11:06:33.948-04:002009-08-25T11:06:33.948-04:00Yep. I think moderation is key as well. That vide...Yep. I think moderation is key as well. That video was great video. Had me smiling.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7454222325290313520.post-76008179068986122062009-08-24T19:49:19.527-04:002009-08-24T19:49:19.527-04:00This is the first positive post about adverbs I...This is the first positive post about adverbs I've read since beginning my writing journey last November! I'm so glad someone said what I've been thinking since I first heard that adverbs were bad! Yea! Moderation in all things. :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08616276555920544920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7454222325290313520.post-36119288280884428802009-08-24T17:05:58.043-04:002009-08-24T17:05:58.043-04:00I don't have an example, but I loved that line...I don't have an example, but I loved that line in TTTW too. :)Melanie Hooyengahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08781235493983907234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7454222325290313520.post-49839398455175954432009-08-24T16:28:04.756-04:002009-08-24T16:28:04.756-04:00As a fan of Tom Lehrer's songs, I must thank y...As a fan of Tom Lehrer's songs, I must thank you for sharing that video. I only vaguely remember the piece from the Electric Company and had no recollection of the song being by Mr. Lehrer. <br /><br />To your point on the adverbs, I agree that they should be used in moderation. Make them matter. I rarely find them useful otherwise.Matt Sinclairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07171715051853671712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7454222325290313520.post-40676223297220250922009-08-24T14:18:04.246-04:002009-08-24T14:18:04.246-04:00Here's a justifiable usage I ran across recent...Here's a justifiable usage I ran across recently:<br /><br />"...I recently read Audrey Niffenegger's The Time Traveler's Wife, and was struck by a sentence that contains-- in my opinion-- a particularly well-used adverb...."<br /><br />Recognize it? Why would a part of speech have evolved in our language if people didn't find it useful? It's just a question of proper use.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00063314650184009336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7454222325290313520.post-41937706689965325022009-08-24T14:10:11.673-04:002009-08-24T14:10:11.673-04:00Anyone who reads romance is familiar with the clas...Anyone who reads romance is familiar with the classic, "She lifted her chin defiantly."<br />I've never used it, but in those works it seemed to fit in some.<br /><br />I like "imperiously," and "stridently" but most times I am able to work them in without the "ly."<br /><br />Stephen King rages against adverbs, but you catch plenty in his his work. Still, he's one of my faves.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7454222325290313520.post-21919307428507010262009-08-24T13:38:13.229-04:002009-08-24T13:38:13.229-04:00I agree that it's an excellent idea to skip &q...I agree that it's an excellent idea to skip "empty" adverbs. One that Elmore Leonard rails against that isn't on the list and is best avoided most of the time is "suddenly". <br /><br />Adverbs are an interesting part of speech. Remember they also describe nouns and adjectives and I generally find them better used in that function than as verb descriptors. Here is a sentence of my own that I debated a LOT. It has two adverbs in it--something unusual for me. But note the useage.<br /><br />For a usually obedient lad, James was being amazingly difficult. <br /><br />I hammered my head on my keyboard on that one. Considered re-writing it. Sweated over it. I tried cutting one. I tried cutting both. Eventually they both went back in which I doubt I would have done had they described a verb because then you can find a stronger verb.<br /><br />talked softly = whispered, etc.<br />laughed loudly = hooted, etc.J. R. Tomlinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01109874615059334200noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7454222325290313520.post-3257546050417983902009-08-24T13:37:05.025-04:002009-08-24T13:37:05.025-04:00Thanks, Pamela. Good to know about the sad parts -...Thanks, Pamela. Good to know about the sad parts - especially because my youngest is only four.<br /><br />How amazing to find a copy in an antique store! What a true treasure.Suzette Saxtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06401538008029407734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7454222325290313520.post-82150823499950570592009-08-24T13:32:48.071-04:002009-08-24T13:32:48.071-04:00Suzette:
I had never read it either! We picked it...Suzette:<br /><br />I had never read it either! We picked it up at an antique store this summer. I read on a blog recently that it was from the horse's POV, linking it to The Art of Racing in the Rain (told from the dog's POV) and others. It's a little different, but it works. Sad in some parts due to the animal cruelty.Pamela Hammondshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18267333699680840984noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7454222325290313520.post-66554351378675317002009-08-24T13:26:59.022-04:002009-08-24T13:26:59.022-04:00Pamela,
I had no idea Black Beauty was written fr...Pamela,<br /><br />I had no idea Black Beauty was written from the POV of the horse. My 7yo has read it, but I'm embarrassed to say that I have not. I think I will read that one to my youngest when we are done with Peter Pan. Thanks for suggesting it!Suzette Saxtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06401538008029407734noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7454222325290313520.post-39288994819011536542009-08-24T13:18:32.331-04:002009-08-24T13:18:32.331-04:00Suzette:
I am reading Black Beauty to my daughter...Suzette:<br /><br />I am reading Black Beauty to my daughter and you’re right: adverbs seem to be more prevalent in older works. Who knew parts of speech were trendy?<br /><br />Here are a few from Black Beauty:<br /><br />…again and again I neighed, pawing at the ground impatiently, and tossing my head to get the rein loose.<br /><br />As soon as my knees were sufficiently healed, I was turned into a small meadow for a month or two…<br /><br />Ginger and I had become fast friends, and now I missed her company extremely. <br /><br />…she trotted anxiously along by the hedge, calling to me as long as she could…<br /><br />And, Marva, I think you’ve hit on something with the list of empty adverbs. I’ll keep those handy and work to avoid them. Devotedly!<br /><br />Thanks for the post, Dr. Dyer.Pamela Hammondshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18267333699680840984noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7454222325290313520.post-34433441095520798652009-08-24T12:46:06.737-04:002009-08-24T12:46:06.737-04:00This was great! Thanks for the trip down memory l...This was great! Thanks for the trip down memory lane. I have to go back and watch it again!<br /><br />Lynnette Labelle<br />http://lynnettelabelle.blogspot.comLynnette Labellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03227593491562480538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7454222325290313520.post-2571762421186161352009-08-24T12:27:56.146-04:002009-08-24T12:27:56.146-04:00Heather,
Great post. This adverb issue along with...Heather,<br />Great post. This adverb issue along with not over using "is, was, be, were" challenges me to write with respect for the economy of words!<br />StephanieStephaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00648724530472982583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7454222325290313520.post-6780159054282348082009-08-24T12:16:45.257-04:002009-08-24T12:16:45.257-04:00Adverbs are not bad, but writers read somewhere th...Adverbs are not bad, but writers read somewhere they were and included all adverbs, rather than just the 'empty' ones:<br /><br />Actually, totally, absolutely, completely, continually, constantly, continuously, literally, mostly, really, unfortunately, ironically, incredibly, hopefully, finally.<br /><br />To name a few of the most egregious. A nice descriptive adverb is fine.Cellophane Queenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08166797508899835493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7454222325290313520.post-18174043791829782162009-08-24T11:00:51.766-04:002009-08-24T11:00:51.766-04:00He laughed softly.
Sometimes, people just laugh. ...He laughed softly.<br /><br />Sometimes, people just laugh. Other times, they laugh loudly. Then again, sometimes people laugh softly.<br /><br />As I've been revising, I've been eliminating the pesky adverbs . . . for the most part. Sometimes, people do things softly or slightly or something-ly. Everything in moderation.<br /><br />Oh, and I love, love, love Schoolhouse Rock. I even bought the 30th Anniversary DVD that came out a few years ago. Ah, the memories . . .<br /><br />SScotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06905515473737579937noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7454222325290313520.post-89764927351548016122009-08-24T10:01:14.519-04:002009-08-24T10:01:14.519-04:00What a fun challenge! In reading Peter Pan by J.M....What a fun challenge! In reading Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie to my youngest this past week, I've come across many adverbs (funny how often you find them in the classics) and most all are a trifle on the creative side. And while I wouldn't exactly say they are a <i>good</i> use of adverbs, they have surely been entertaining:<br /><br />"It must be sewn on," she said, just a little patronizingly.<br /><br />"Come," he cried imperiously, and soared out at once into the night..."<br /><br />"I'm Wendy," she said agitatedly. <br /><br />Great post, Heather! (She said said appreciatively.) Now I shall be on a quest to find the perfect use of an adverb in a published work.Suzette Saxtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06401538008029407734noreply@blogger.com