Rather, very, little, pretty -- these are the leeches that…
“Rather, very, little, pretty -- these are the leeches that infest the pond of prose, sucking the blood of words. The constant use of the adjective little (except to indicate size) is particularly debilitating; we should all try to do a little better, we should all be very watchful of this rule, for it is a rather important one, and we are pretty sure to violate it now and then.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Overuse of diminutive adjectives weakens prose; avoid unnecessary “little” to strengthen language.
In simple terms: Avoid needless tiny adjectives.
Key Takeaway
Choose precise words.
Themes
writing
language
precision
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
advice
instructional
When to use this quote
- editing essays
- creative writing
- academic papers
- blog posts
Key Concepts
style
clarity
economy
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you replace “little” with more vivid descriptors?
- When does “little” add value?
A Different Perspective
May sound pedantic if over‑applied.