very

The word "very" weakens prose by diluting the strength of the adjectives it modifies. It signals uncertainty, suggesting that the writer does not trust the adjective to convey the intended intensity. This hedging can deflate the impact of a description, making it feel less vivid. In nearly every case, deleting "very" tightens the sentence and enhances its emotional weight. Before: She was very tired after the long journey. After: She was tired after the long journey. Before: The movie was very interesting and kept me engaged. After: The movie was interesting and kept me engaged. Before: He was very excited about the promotion. After: He was excited about the promotion. In dialogue, "very" can serve a purpose, especially when a character is expressing a heightened emotional state. For example, a child lamenting, "I’m very scared of the dark!" conveys a specific characterization through the hedging. In this context, the word reflects the character’s sincerity and vulnerability rather than undermining the narrative. When reviewing your draft, ask yourself: If you remove "very," does the sentence still convey the same meaning and emotion? If so, then it was unnecessary clutter.