Common Grammar Mistakes Fiction Writers Make (+ Fixes)
April 13, 2026
Passive Voice in Fiction: Examples, Fixes & Tips for Writers
April 14, 2026Common Grammar Mistakes Fiction Writers Make (+ Fixes)
April 13, 2026Passive Voice in Fiction: Examples, Fixes & Tips for Writers
April 14, 2026Why Overusing Adverbs Weakens Your Writing
Do you add adverbs in your sentences such as “he ran quickly” or “she said angrily” but still feel that your story feels flat?
This is something many beginner writers struggle with. The truth is that using too many adverbs weakens your writing because it tells the reader what is happening instead of showing it through actions and emotions.
Verbs and vivid descriptions are more effective in scenes in fiction writing and particularly in novels than adverbs. You can make your writing stronger instead of using such words as “very,” “quickly,” or “loudly,” and so on by using specific strong verbs and expressing emotions with actions.
In this guide, you'll learn how to identify, reduce, and fix unnecessary adverbs step by step to make your scenes more engaging for readers.
What does it mean?
Adverbs are words that describe how something happens. The most of the Adverbs end with “-ly,” such as,
- quickly
- slowly
- angrily
- softly
At first, they seem useful because they add extra detail, right?
However, the problem is as follows,
- Adverbs usually weaken your writing since they are shortcuts.
- They don't paint a clear picture. Instead, they often explain things in a weaker way.
For example:
“He ran quickly” tells us the action
“He sprinted” shows the action more clearly.
The second sentence is better as the word sprinted already contains the meaning of speed. When writing fiction, you want to make the reader feel like they are there, not tell them all. The presence of too many adverbs makes your writing less vivid and less interesting. This doesn't mean all adverbs are bad. It means overusing them can weaken your writing. Learn more about Common Grammar Mistakes Fiction Writers Make.
The Step-by-Step Guide on How to Not Overuse Adverbs
If you want to avoid overusing adverbs, follow these step-by-step editing techniques. There is no need to think about using adverbs when writing your first draft. First concentrate on writing the scene of the story initially and then, follow these steps when editing to improve your writing.
Step 1: Find the Adverbs.
After writing a paragraph, look for words that end in “-ly.”
Example:
- quietly
- suddenly
- nervously
Highlight them. This will help you see how often you use them. You can also use your editor’s search function to quickly find “ly” words.
Step 2: Could I Use a Strong Verb?
Instead of:
“She walked slowly”
Try:
“She crept” or “She dragged her feet”
Instead of:
“He said loudly”
Try:
“He screamed” or “He shouted.”
Strong verbs often help you replace unnecessary adverbs. Not every adverb can be replaced, but many of them can.
Step 3: Show, rather than tell.
Instead of,
“She said angrily”
Try:
“She banged the door and looked at him.”
Emotions are usually clearer when shown through actions instead of adverbs.
You can also express emotion with little physical details, such as body language, tone or movement, and even sensory details such as what the character sees or hears.
Don't feel pressured to replace “said,” either. “said” is virtually unseen by the readers. It is often better to keep “said” and add an action instead of using dialogue tags like “exclaimed” or “shouted loudly.”
Step 4: Remove Unnecessary Intensifiers
Words like:
- very
- really
- extremely
These are usually weak adverbs.
Example:
For example, replace “very tired” with “exhausted.”
For “really big”, can be replaced with word “massive”
Substitute weak expressions with more specific words.
Step 5: Keep Only the Value Adding Adverbs.
Not all adverbs are bad.
They are handy when,
- The meaning would be unclear without them
- The rhythm of the sentence needs them
The goal isn't to remove every adverb but to use them only when they add value.
In some cases, an adverb helps to create a natural effect and is the best choice. For example, words like “hardly” or “nearly” can sometimes be the best choice. In these cases, trying to substitute them may lengthen the sentence or make it less understandable. It's not about avoiding adverbs completely. It's about not relying on them too much.
Examples/Mini Tips
To make this more clear, let’s consider some simple examples.
Example 1: Weak vs Strong Writing
“He ran quickly down the street” is weaker than “He sprinted down the street” because “sprinted” is a stronger verb.
Use a strong verb instead of “verb + adverb”
Example 2: Dialogue Improvement
“'I don't care,' she said angrily” is weaker than “'I don't care.' She folded her arms and turned her back,” because the emotion is shown through action.
Remember, show emotion through body language or action or both.
Example 3: Description Upgrade
Avoid “very + adjective.” For example,
“The room was very dark” is weaker than “The room was pitch black” because the second uses a more specific description.
Before vs After
Before: “He quickly walked into the room and looked around nervously.”
After: “He rushed into the room, his eyes darting from corner to corner.”
The first example tells the reader what happens, while the second helps the reader experience it.
Mini Tips
- While editing, remove words like “very,” “really,” and “quite” and replace them with appropriate words.
- Use a thesaurus to identify more powerful verbs.
- Read your sentence aloud. If it sounds weak, it probably needs improvement.
- Concentrate on what the character does, not what he or she tells.
Common Mistakes Made By Beginners
1. Using Adverbs in Every Sentence
These are some of the mistakes that beginners make when using adverbs,
The first one is to use adverbs in each sentence. This may weaken your writing, making it monotonous and boring. Use Adverbs where it’s necessary.
2. Overusing Dialogue Tags
Don't overuse dialogue tags like “he said angrily” or “she said softly.” When possible, replace them with actions.
3. Overuse of “Very”.
The use of “very " should be avoided, like “very happy”, “very sad”, “very cold”
Try to substitute with more powerful adjectives, such as “thrilled,” “miserable,” “freezing.” Use “very " where it matters.
4. Not Trusting the Reader
As a writer, don't try to explain everything to the reader. Give space to the reader to feel or experience the scene through actions and details.
5. Ignoring Strong Verbs
Don't rely on weak verbs plus adverbs when a strong verb can do the job. Use strong verbs in your writing to develop your scene and practice using precise verbs.
FAQ (People Also Ask)
Final thought
The common beginner mistake in writing fiction is the overuse of adverbs—but it is also simple to correct it. Your writing will become more interesting by using stronger verbs, showing by actions and avoiding words like “very“.
Remember, don't just tell readers what's happening—show them through the scene.
Do not overcorrect as removing all adverbs may make your writing sound unnatural. Aim for balance rather than trying to remove every adverb.
Good writing keeps readers interested and makes your scenes feel more real. Try to apply these steps to one paragraph today and you will instantly notice the difference.
Learn more about beginner writing mistakes to avoid in your first fiction book, and how to turn your ideas into a story by learning how to start writing a book.
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