Archive for September 4th, 2008

Self-Editing Lesson Number Two - Intensifiers

Thursday, September 4th, 2008

Sorry this is so late. I got all caught up in the convention speeches, and I’m on Pacific time.So, what’s an intensifier?

An intensifier emphasizes the word it modifies. What does that mean? I think an example is worth 1,000 words. Here’s a typical scenario where one might use an intensifier: What was she thinking when she traveled to

Antarctica? That place could be really cold! The intensifier is “really,” which modifies the word “cold.”

 You can prop up a weak word, but it’s still weak. In this instance, one-plus-one doesn’t equal two, it equals l-a-z-y. Find a stronger word. Here’s one for ya: What was she thinking when she traveled to

Antarctica? That place could be frigid. Other examples of heinous intensifiers are: very, totally, quite, extremely, severely, etc. (No, etc. isn’t an intensifier.) Note: There are exceptions. Use your head. If those words were never correct, they wouldn’t be words. And remember that intensifiers have their place in dialogue, as everyone has different speech patterns. Hope ya pop in on the morrow for lesson number three. Smiles,Kelly 

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