The word "seriously" weakens prose by signaling uncertainty. It suggests that the writer lacks confidence in the statement’s gravity. By using "seriously," you risk diluting the emotional impact of your characters’ thoughts or actions. In most cases, deleting it will strengthen your prose without sacrificing meaning. Before: She was seriously upset about the news. After: She was upset about the news. Before: He was seriously considering the offer. After: He was considering the offer. Before: The situation was seriously dangerous. After: The situation was dangerous. The word "seriously" can earn its place in dialogue, particularly when a character is expressing disbelief or concern. For instance, a character saying, "Are you seriously going to do that?" effectively conveys their incredulity. In this context, it reflects the character's emotional state and enhances the authenticity of their voice. If you remove the word and the sentence still conveys your intended meaning, it was clutter.
Filter words
seriously
adverb
Watch for these patterns
- Identify instances where "seriously" modifies an adjective. If the adjective stands strong without it, delete the word.
- Look for repeated use of "seriously" within a single scene or paragraph. If you find more than one, consider deleting all but the most impactful instance.
- Be cautious when using "seriously" in internal monologue. It can dilute the intensity of a character's feelings.