Tags
Indefinite Numbers, Overused Words, Strong vs Weak Words, Strong Words, Weak Words, writers, writing
Words indicating indefinite numbers are sneaky and vague.
Sure, we need to use these words when we say something like, “Some pizza-lovers like anchovies.” In this case, we don’t know exactly how many crazy people there are in the world.
However, if you can be specific, it adds pop to the sentence.
I had some ice cream last night.
Yum. What flavor?
I ate a gallon of anchovy ice cream in one sitting.
~~~~~
Many people follow my wildly popular blog.
That’s cool. How many?
Three fellow-bloggers follow my wildly popular blog.
~~~~~
A few people hit “like” on my blog about anchovies.
Anchovies are fascinating, aren’t they?
My blog about anchovies received zero “likes.”
~~~~~
I had a couple of drinks to numb the pain.
Did you lace the drinks with anchovies?
After six shots of vodka I decided to change the theme of my blog from anchovies to the fine art of distilling vodka.
Other indefinite numbers are (can you think of more?):
A lot, a ton, a boatload, a truckload, a bunch, a bit, a tad
Gobs, heaps, oodles, scads, smidgeon
Gazillion, kabillion,
Several
Most
Any
However, I do like the word umpteen.
Happy three-day weekend everyone. I’ll be back next week.
For advice on other words that sneak into your writing, clink on the links below:
- I Have a Problem with “That”
- Sneaky Little Words for the word GOT
- Strong vs Weak Words for the word WENT
- Strong vs Weak Words – Part 2 for the word PEOPLE
- Strong vs Weak Words – Part 3 for the words THING and STUFF
- Strong vs Weak Words – Part 4 for the words GO and GOING
- Strong vs Weak Words – Part 5 for the words ALWAYS and NEVER
- Strong vs Weak Words – Part 6 for the words PRETTY, SURE, and CERTAIN
- Strong vs Weak Words – Part 7 for the word HAD and HAVE
- Strong vs Weak Words – Part 8 for the word JUST
- Strong vs Weak Words – Part 9 for the word ALL
- Moldy Verbs, Adverbs, and Intensifiers
Robin Coyle 