Adjectives Quote by Anonymous
“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
Source Essay: Writing Style Critique, unknown author
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.
