After verbs adverbs are the part of speech most often abused in college essays. Students, deploying an inert, noun-heavy writing style, recognize that their verbs are often pitifully weak. Thus they tack on adverbs in hopes of adding intensity or precision. But this often falls flat or even backfires.
Here are several examples of adverbs that weaken sentences because they add nothing of value:
ORIGINAL REVISION
Socrates convincingly explains his position to Crito.
Socrates explains his position to Crito.
Euthyphro continues to further explain his actions.
Euthyphro continues to explain his actions.
The play carefully examines the disorder brought by civil war.
The play examines the disorder brought by civil war.
Antony plays on the crowd's emotions and successfully obtains their support.
Antony plays on the crowd's emotions and wins their support.
Here are several examples of adverbs that weaken sentences because they add nothing of value:
ORIGINAL REVISION
Socrates convincingly explains his position to Crito.
Socrates explains his position to Crito.
Euthyphro continues to further explain his actions.
Euthyphro continues to explain his actions.
The play carefully examines the disorder brought by civil war.
The play examines the disorder brought by civil war.
Antony plays on the crowd's emotions and successfully obtains their support.
Antony plays on the crowd's emotions and wins their support.