Word Choice & Economy
Intensifier Overuse
Flags words like "very", "really", and "extremely" that weaken rather than strengthen prose.
What It Does
Detects 20 common intensifiers in narration (not dialogue, where they can be character voice) and provides specific replacement guidance.
Why It Matters
"Substitute 'damn' every time you're inclined to write 'very'; your editor will delete it and the writing will be just as it should be." — Mark Twain. Intensifiers usually signal that the adjective isn't strong enough on its own.
What Gets Flagged
| Severity | Example | Why | Suggested Revision |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hint | "She was very tired" | "Very" is never the right word | "She was exhausted" |
| Hint | "really important" | Adds nothing | "crucial" or "essential" |
| Hint | "absolutely essential" | Redundant — essential IS absolute | "essential" |
Configuration
No configuration options. Dialogue is exempt (intensifiers can be character voice).
Technical Details
- Source:
prose-craft - Scope: Line-level, narration only
- Method: Word matching against 20 intensifiers with dialogue-skip