really

The word 'really' weakens prose by introducing uncertainty and unnecessary padding. It suggests that the writer lacks confidence in the strength of their description. For example, saying a character is 'really upset' diminishes the emotional weight compared to simply stating they are 'upset.' In most cases, deleting 'really' will enhance clarity and impact without sacrificing meaning. Before: She was really angry at the betrayal. After: She was angry at the betrayal. Before: He really wanted to win the competition. After: He wanted to win the competition. Before: The movie was really good, and everyone loved it. After: The movie was good, and everyone loved it. While 'really' often weakens prose, there are specific scenarios where it can serve a purpose. In dialogue, characters may use 'really' to emphasize their feelings or opinions, capturing their voice authentically. For instance, a character exclaiming, 'I really can't believe you did that!' reflects their surprise and emotional state effectively. In this case, the word adds to characterization rather than detracting from it. As a self-check, ask yourself: If you remove 'really' and the sentence still conveys the intended meaning, then it was unnecessary clutter.