Cutting out crutch words

a. That was a really entertaining show. b. The talk was really interesting.

To eliminate the crutch and enliven your speech, select a creative adjective instead.

a. That was a breathtaking performance. b. The talk was provocative. c. The swimmer performed really admirably. (Unnecessary) d. The swimmer performed admirably.

This is another word that writers often throw in to intensify or magnify another word. Often it does not communicate enough information and is overused.

Meaning: (intensifier) A definite article or possessive determiner to give emphasis to the significance of a noun in a particular context.

Wrong use: When used before superlatives which use the ‘most’ and with adjectives that are absolute.

a. This is the very person I was looking for all the while. (intensifying the noun ‘person’ — to identify identity)

His very name struck terror. (intensifying the noun ‘name’)

He is a very good person. ( does not communicate enough information)

It has been established that past participles can be modified by the adverb ‘very’.

a. Marina’s parents were very concerned for her safety. b. They were very much relieved to find everyone safe.

It is also used to add force to a superlative adjective. Note that we can use ‘very’ before superlative adjectives that end in ‘est’ (including best and worst), but not before superlatives which use the most, we usually use ‘by far’.

a. This is the very best chocolate cake I have ever

tasted. b. Adam always leaves his homework to the very last

minute. c. This is the very same place we sat the last time we

were here. d. I think playing digital games is by far the most

harmful activity for a child. e. I think playing digital games is the very most

harmful activity for a child. (x) Some adjectives are absolute. We do not usually use ‘very’ before these ungradable adjectives:

a. He is dead and there is no doubt about it.

He is very dead and there is no doubt about it. (x) b. She is married.

She is very married. (x)

The word ‘basically’ is used to signal truth and simplicity, signifying something that is fundamental. However, this often used in the context of things that are far from basic!

Meaning: As an adverb used for emphasis or making important statement; describing a situation in a simple, general way.

Wrong use: When it is done to create a sense of authority, when the meaning of the sentence does not change without the use of ‘basically’.

a. This vehicle is designed for one purpose, which is basically to transport goods. (emphasis = purpose of the vehicle or the most important feature) b. It is basically a vegetarian diet. (Simple description, without being concerned with less important details)

Padi planting methods in Malaysia remain basically the same as those in use half a century ago. (describing a situation in a simple way- describing the main feature)

Basically, he made a bad decision. (x)

He made a bad decision. The meaning of the sentence does not change without the use of ‘basically’)

Basically, you are the reason for all the problems. (x)

You are the reason for all the problems.

Basically we had underestimated Mother Nature.

(In summary)

The word ‘essentially’ is the slightly elevated form of basically. The word is overused as a way to express finality, or as a filler to elongate a sentence.

She had essentially no idea what was going on. (x)

She had no idea what was going on.

Removing ‘essentially’ from sentences does not alter the meanings in any way, because ‘essentially’ is not ‘essential’!