The Assault on Adverbs by Editors: Is It Justified?

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Is the Assault on Adverbs Justified?

You’ve Probably Heard the Warnings

Adverbs: a controversial topic among writers and editors. John Bowers shares his opinion. You might disagree, but he presents a strong case.

And oh, the horror! You might even spot a semicolon or two.

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John Bowers Defends the Use of Adverbs

A couple of years ago I got into a … discussion … with another writer who was touting an article that quoted Elmore Leonard and Stephen King; according to the article, both men stated that adverbs should never be used. I disagreed. I had never heard such foolishness and stated boldly that it smelled to me like elitism. My friend got offended and hasn’t spoken to me since. (I’m sorry his panties got bunched — I wasn’t calling him elitist, just Elmore and King.)

I’ve thought a lot about the subject since then, and my position hasn’t changed. I don’t remember ever reading Elmore Leonard, but I have seen some screen adaptations of his work and enjoyed them. Leonard is quoted as saying that he once had a character who used to write historical romances “full of … adverbs”.

I can’t argue with Leonard’s or King’s success, but that doesn’t change my opinion about adverbs. Just because they sold lots of books doesn’t mean they invented the language or get to tell me how to use it. I think no one is more critical of a writer than other writers (which is true in all professions), but sometimes that criticism boils down to simple snobbery.

A Matter of Style

I happen to be very good at grammar, spelling, and sentence structure. It’s an aptitude. Several times a year I get requests from other writers to edit their novels for publication. When I do, I usually see them do things in a way that I would never do them, but unless it’s something glaring, I don’t try to correct it. It’s their style, and who am I to dictate style to another writer? I have my style, they have theirs. If one writer prefers not to use adverbs, that is his or her choice, not mine. If asked for my opinion, I will give it, but only if asked. Style is what gives a writer a voice. If writing were a science, every novel would look and sound exactly the same. How boring would that be? Thankfully, writing is not science, but art.

I think King and Elmore forgot that, or maybe their self-importance just got blown out of proportion. I am prepared to give them the benefit — their opinions are noted, but they aren’t law.

Or maybe the anti-adverb activists haven’t told us the whole story. They tell us to avoid adverbs, but maybe they’re really talking about Tom Swifties. If that’s the case, then I certainly agree. Adverbs, like prescription drugs, can be abused and overused. Those of you under sixty may not remember Tom Swift, the Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, or other novels for juveniles that were prolific when I was growing up. The writers of those books used adverbs like confetti, scattering them through every paragraph.

“Joe! Look!” Frank shouted pointedly.

“I’m starving!” Joe said hungrily.

“Who told you that?” Tom asked questioningly.

“Why do you ask?” Nancy asked evasively.

“Strong” Verbs

The English language contains nouns, pronouns, adjectives, verbs, adverbs, prepositions, and more. All those words are there for a reason. Nouns and pronouns name things; verbs describe action. Adjectives modify nouns and pronouns, adverbs modify verbs. Why just pick on adverbs? Why not ban adjectives as well? After all, a house is a house, so who cares how big it is, what color it is, what style it is, whether it’s wood or brick or stone or steel? We don’t need to know those things, do we? So let’s ban adjectives as well as adverbs.

Doesn’t make sense.

Some people tell me they prefer “strong verbs” to using adverbs. I’m okay with that. I like strong verbs. I like action verbs even more. Why run when you can dash, sprint, or charge? Why cry when you can weep, wail, sob, or sling snot?

But none of that eliminates the need for adverbs.

Some might argue that it’s wrong or unnecessary to say “he shouted angrily”, when shouting already suggests anger. No, it doesn’t. People shout for lots of reasons. They shout when angry, when excited, when scared, or when the ambient noise level is so high that they can’t otherwise be heard. The same is true of screaming or whispering. Some people scream in fear, others in fun. Some people whisper quietly, others loudly, and still others almost silently. “Whisper” all by itself is only part of the story.

Like adjectives, adverbs modify, and even strong verbs don’t always tell the whole story.

Workarounds

After the aforementioned fallout with my formerly fair-weather friend, another writer suggested using workarounds to avoid using adverbs. Okay, how does that work?

“Nick wrapped his arms around her and kissed her. He was filled with passion, and the kiss reflected that.” I guess that works. But isn’t it easier and more logical to simply say “Nick kissed her passionately”? Why drive two miles out of your way just to avoid an adverb?

Again, I admit that adverbs, like anything else, can be overdone. There is no point in saying someone “darted quickly” when darting, by its very nature, is already pretty quick. Common sense should apply. Always.

The Bottom Line

The English language is rich and varied in options. Anyone writing a story should be like a kid in a chocolate factory — so many choices to say anything you want, the way you want. Why would anyone need to completely ignore one entire group of those options? Or castigate someone else who uses them? Again, in my opinion, it boils down to snobbery. Elitism.

If you were a chef, or just a culinary hobbyist, you would be in much the same position. Your cupboard is stocked with foods and spices. You have recipes that call for various ingredients, and when you serve that meal, it blows everyone away.

But suppose someone, a famous chef who already made his fortune, told you that you could no longer use black pepper, or maybe onions, or … what the hell, salt? How would you greet that kind of ridiculous assertion?

I can tell you how I would greet it, only it probably can’t be repeated in this blog. Writing is exactly the same thing. You have thousands of words available to tell your tale, and no one — no one — has the right to restrict you from using them however you see fit. You are the writer. You are telling the story. Use the words that you need to get the job done.

And tell those elitist critics what they can do with their opinions.

Emphatically.

© John Bowers

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Nick Walker Series by John Bowers

John Bowers began writing at age 12 and was considered a prodigy by his English teachers. He wrote prolifically until his thirties, but life got busy and he took a decade off, returning to the keyboard in 1993. He is the author of the Nick Walker, United Federation Marshal series and the Starport series, all available on Amazon.

Now semi-retired, Bowers still works part-time as a computer programming consultant and spends his free time writing novels. He lives in Central California.

Find thousands of writing tips and word lists in
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46 thoughts on “The Assault on Adverbs by Editors: Is It Justified?”

  1. I suggest that you read what King and Leonard said before labeling them rather rudely as self-important. It is very obvious that you haven’t.

    • In your example justifying “he shouted angrily” that there are many reasons for shouting, that is true. But has the scene up to the shout shown that he was angry? If it has, then ‘angrily’ is redundant. If it hasn’t, you probably need to fix the scene so that it does show that the character is angry, which by the way the main point that King was making in a rather long passage on using and misusing adverbs. His book ‘On Writing’ is one of the most widely read books in existence on the craft of writing which I highly recommend actually reading.

  2. You are my new writing hero! I have screamed into the void for a long time about the writing rules – never use passive verbs, don’t use the word as, don’t use adverbs. Thank you for such a clear and concise piece on the silliness of eliminating adverbs. And kudos for calling out King for being elitist.

    • Thank you, Daryl, and you’re welcome.

      While I find nothing wrong with writing “rules”, they aren’t law. Adverbs and passive verbs have their place and should not be banned just because some self-important snob decides he or she doesn’t like them. Rules are nothing more than guides. Every situation calls for its own solution, and that may require a passive verb, adverb, or even the occasional head-hop. The rich opportunities in the English language allow for the writer’s genius to flourish, but not with a gun pointed to his head.

      As for King, I’ve always thought he was overrated. Nice to know that I’m not the only one.

      • I like this one reader/editor says you should show not tell and points out adverbs. So you describe the adverb in 14 words. The next reader/editor says you are being wordy so you go back to the adverb.

        Here’s the thing all these rules were created by successful authors to stop others from being successful. If it reads well the words you use really do not matter.

  4. I read your article with enjoyment. Thank you for the various examples and distinctions.

    I really only have to discern where I truly have too many adverbs shoving their rhythmically-enhanced noses happily into my sentences; unfortunately, destroying the unwary reader’s desire to continue.

    I have stolen Marie Kondo’s iconic question, “Does it spark joy?” , since verbosity is the bane of a good tale. But I am still trying to use all of my words before I pass from this plane…and as many ellipses and Exclalmation Marks as I can !!!

  5. I’ve read part of King’s tirade when it comes to the subject of ‘adverbs and I agree with this article! Using adverbs when done correctly and moderately enhances a lot of novels.
    Thank you for sharing.

  6. PERFECT. I rarely (there you go – ‘ly’) use that word about anything. But when I see or read or hear something that make sense, I don’t hesitate.

  7. I actually had someone call me out and tell me I was giving “bad writing advice” because I advocate for the proper use of adverbs. This blog post could not have been more relevant today! Thank you for pointing out the absurdity of limiting the use of a piece of grammar in writing!

    • Thanks, Beth.

      Yes, you’re right. Words exist for a reason. Writing would be overly stilted if we deleted every adverb. There — I used one. Stilted by itself just doesn’t work. Oops, I did it again. Just is an adverb too. So is too. 🙂

      Stay safe!

    • Thank you, Beth. All it takes is common sense, but sense isn’t as common as it used to be. I’m glad to see there are survivors out there who still think for themselves.

  9. Thanks for the article, John. I do agree with you. If we all ‘played by the book,’ we would be in danger of writing robotically. It’s like writing ‘specific’ poetry’ as opposed to spontaneous poetry. It takes away the ‘essence’ of the piece. Many top writers make occasional mistakes in pedantic’s eyes. but by not keeping to the so-called rules, they remain individuals and not flock-followers.Write on….

  12. As an editor and author, I agree from under both hats. As an editor, it’s my job to preserve and enhance an author’s voice and this means not changing som things I would never do but adverbs are a choice not an absolute. While wearing both hats, sometimes there’s just no better way to say something.
    This was a fabulous read and thank you for sharing it. I gratefully, marvelously, and emphatically enjoyed it.

    • I am glad to hear this, Amy. For a while I wondered if I was the only one who feels this way, and it’s gratifying to hear it from a professional editor. Thanks for posting.

  13. “Nick wrapped his arms around her and kissed her. He was filled with passion, and the kiss reflected that.” I guess that works. But isn’t it easier and more logical to simply say “Nick kissed her passionately”? Why drive two miles out of your way just to avoid an adverb?

    Truer words were never uttered. The prohibition on adverbs has always irritated me, and I’ve always ignored it. I agree completely with Bowers.

    • Thanks, Dena Jo.

      Avoiding adverbs by choosing active verbs saves words and strengthens writing. But your highlight of John’s comment shows how avoidance can also cause just the reverse: bloated and awkward narrative. Why have adverbs if we don’t use them?

  14. Neil Gaiman often quotes Jerry Garcia as saying that style is the stuff you get wrong; if you’re playing music perfectly there is no style.
    Gaiman compares this to the author’s voice. I thought that was reassuring.

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