Common Editing Mistakes: Overusing Adverbs in Prose

Are you an aspiring author crafting your first fantasy novel or a seasoned writer polishing a sci-fi adventure? One of the most common editing mistakes we see at Thoth Editing is overusing adverbs—words like “quickly,” “softly,” or “angrily” that modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. While adverbs have their place, leaning on them too heavily can weaken your prose and make it feel amateurish. In this post, part of our editing mistakes series, we’ll explore why overusing adverbs hurts your writing, how to replace them with stronger alternatives, and when they’re okay to use. Let’s make your story shine!

What Are Adverbs and Why Are They a Problem?

Adverbs, often ending in “-ly,” describe how, when, or to what extent an action occurs (e.g., “She ran quickly”). Overusing them can lead to telling instead of showing, redundant phrasing, or weak verbs that fail to evoke vivid imagery. In genres like romance or fantasy, where immersive prose is crucial, excessive adverbs can pull readers out of the story. For example, “He whispered softly” is redundant—whispering is already soft.

Why Overusing Adverbs Weakens Your Writing

Relying too much on adverbs can:

• Dilute Impact: Adverbs often prop up weak verbs, reducing the prose’s strength.

• Break Immersion: Telling readers how a character acts (e.g., “angrily”) instead of showing disrupts engagement.

• Signal Inexperience: Overuse can make writing feel unpolished, a red flag for agents or readers.

• Clutter Prose: Unnecessary adverbs inflate word count without adding value.

With over a decade editing best-selling novels, Thoth Editing knows vibrant prose is key to captivating readers. Let’s dive into how to fix this mistake.

Common Adverb Overuse Issues and Fixes

Using a sci-fi novel about a pilot, Zara, and her engineer, Kael, we’ll highlight three common adverb mistakes and their solutions.

1. Propping Up Weak Verbs
   Issue: Adverbs are used to bolster vague verbs, missing opportunities for stronger choices.
   

   Zara walked quickly to the cockpit. She looked nervously at the controls.

   Fix: Replace the verb-adverb pair with a single, vivid verb that conveys the action clearly.
   

   Zara dashed to the cockpit. She scrutinized the controls, pulse racing.

   Tip: Search for “-ly” words and test if a stronger verb (e.g., “sprinted” for “ran quickly”) works better.

2. Redundant Adverbs in Dialogue Tags
   Issue: Adverbs in dialogue tags often restate what the dialogue or context already shows.
   

   “We’re out of fuel!” Zara shouted loudly.
   “I’m trying!” Kael replied angrily.

   Fix: Use the dialogue’s tone or action beats to convey emotion, omitting redundant adverbs.
   

   “We’re out of fuel!” Zara shouted, slamming the console.
   “I’m trying!” Kael snapped, wrenching a lever.

   Tip: If the dialogue implies the emotion, skip the adverb or use a beat like “clenched fists.”

3. Overdescribing with Adverbs
   Issue: Stacking adverbs to overexplain actions or emotions clutters prose.
   

   Kael carefully and slowly repaired the engine extremely well.

   Fix: Simplify by choosing precise verbs and trusting context to convey details.
   

   Kael meticulously repaired the engine with expert precision.

   Tip: Aim for one adverb (if any) per sentence, and ensure it adds unique information.

Tips for Reducing Adverbs

• Search and Revise: Use your word processor to find “-ly” words and assess their necessity.

• Strengthen Verbs: Replace “moved quietly” with “crept” or “spoke loudly” with “bellowed.”

• Show, Don’t Tell: Instead of “She was angrily upset,” write “She slammed the door, her face flushed.”

• Study Prose Masters: Read authors like Becky Chambers (sci-fi) or Tessa Dare (romance) for adverb-light writing.

When to Use Adverbs: Adverbs are fine for specific emphasis (e.g., “She only whispered”) or dialogue authenticity (e.g., “I literally can’t”). Aim to use them in ~10% of sentences, ensuring they add value.

How Thoth Editing Can Help

Polished prose makes your novel stand out, and Thoth Editing is here to refine yours. Our copyediting and line editing services eliminate unnecessary adverbs, strengthen verbs, and enhance your unique voice. With a nearly 100% client return rate and experience with best-selling authors, we’re your partner from draft to publication. Ready to make your prose pop? Contact us today!

Struggled with adverbs? Share your tips or questions in the comments. Let’s craft vivid prose together!