We use English every day – to read articles, to chat with friends, to watch movies, to work and what not. But HOW do we use the language? In an everyday context we don't really think how well we sound. We mostly strive to be simple, understandable and to the point. But after all, what is the language for if not to charm, entertain and astound?
Absolutely inspired by 1989s movie “Dead Poets Society” we are presenting to you just one way to be an extraordinary communicator. The advice is very simple elementary: Do not use the word VERY.
So avoid using the word 'very' because it's lazy. A man is not very tired, he is exhausted. Don’t use very sad, use morose. Language was invented for one reason – to woo women – and, in that endeavor, laziness will not do.
A dazzling movie, which shows how a brilliant teacher can change the minds, the horizons and the lives of their students.
No matter whether you'd like to woo a woman, to charm a man, to sound trustworthy on a business meeting, or to impress the examiner on CAE or CPE, the wide variety or words you use is a big time win for you.
Few examples how not to be lazy:
Instead of: |
Say: |
very happy very sad |
jubilant devastated |
very ugly very beautiful |
hideous marvelous |
very worried very eager |
anxious keen |
very afraid very lively |
terrified vivacious |
very good very wicked |
superb villainous |
very tired very energetic |
exhausted vigorous |
very strong very weak |
unyielding feeble |
very clean very dirty |
spotless squalid |
very stupid very smart |
idiotic agile |
very small very big |
tiny gigantic |
And so on...
Stand up against the ordinary!
There are, indeed, countless opportunities to avoid the word very and thus be more explicit in your expression. Try it on your next essay or when you have a drink with a foreign friend and you will see the results.
How marvelous, splendid, superb!