Friday, July 31, 2009

Superlatives


Do you ever find in your writing that you use the same adjectives over and over? I use terrific, wonderful, fantastic, lovely, and beautiful in most posts and comments. Why? Well, they're easy for one, and I'm too lazy to get the thesaurus and be more creative. So I'm going to turn over a new leaf and try writing without using the same 'ole, same 'ole. How about:

Instead of terrific, I use - excellent, blue-ribbon, dazzling, first-rate, fabulous, breathtaking, sensational, or the informal - awesome, bang-up, mean. ( ex: That was a mean post, I hope you continue to write in such a blue-ribbon manner.)

Well, that might not be the best example of using new superlatives, but you get my point. I need to break out of my rut when using descriptive words. So keep your eye out, and don't be surprised if you break out laughing at some of my new words. I'm just stretching my vocabulary!

30 comments:

Kat said...

That is a good challenge. I use the same ole ones too. But that is who I am. It is hard to change this far along in life. But, like you, I am going to give it a try.
Good luck.

Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed. said...

I so agree! I have been operating with the same old boring superlatives. Often, I take a breath hoping something more real and on-target will pop into my head - sometimes it works - sometimes I just take the lazy way out.

Ladybird World Mother said...

Nice one. I was asking Middle Son to think of another word for brilliant... in his article that all Year 6 had to give in about their years at school, and he came up with Scorching! Loved it. Will look forward to some of your new words!

Meeko Fabulous said...

Nancy! I can't wait to see what new words you send in our direction. Cheers!

Jo said...

Oh, that's too funny. I was thinking the very same thing today. I use the same superlatives, and today I actually used breathtaking -- just for a change. Well, it was the right word to use at the time, in any case.

Wonderful post...! *heh*

musingegret said...

Hi Nancy! I came to your site after reading your comment on the McGregor's SYNCHRONICITY site and your post was a sync subject itself! I had just been thinking last night while watching some inane TV show that the on-air usage of 'awesome' and 'amazing' has reached its limit of "over-done-ed-ness." LOL

You've inspired me to bookmark an online thesaurus; thank you.

Anonymous said...

LOL Nancy, you're our very own Lil' C!!! Pontificate that one will you? :)

DJan said...

Nancy, is the "Rain" in the comment above the one you've been missing? Hope so! I am also intrigued by Ladybird World Mother, gonna go check her out.

Be careful that you don't start sounding like someone else, since you definitely have a "style" that I look forward to!

Jen said...

Blue-Ribbon? Bwhahaha!

Nancy said...

DJ - Yes, Rain is back with a whole new blog - go check her out!

I have a few new blogging friends I need to check out.

Thanks about the "style" comment.

The Good Cook said...

Excellent Goal. Many times I use the same words because I am too lazy to check the spelling.. I am with you on this journey to (now how do I spell that?)... verbal fluency...

Rosaria Williams said...

Don't get too close to the edge, there. Too much of a good thing becomes addictive, too.

Natalie said...

Splendiferous idea,Nancy.xx♥

Joanna said...

Guilty over here! My bad habit is "amazing" and I hereby vow to find some alternatives. Thanks for the reminder.

robert said...

Being a teacher this entry of yours was of much interest. Still am trying to find a superlative for 'unique'...a word which one could perfectly use for your site as well. Please have a nice weekend.

susan said...

I attenuated my argot once with the effect of becoming incomprehensible to my intended audience.

Marguerite said...

I'm with D Jan on this one. I love your style and your superlatives, too. But a change wouldn't be a bad idea for all of us. Thanks and have a fun weekend!

Trish and Rob MacGregor said...

Hmm. Does this mean you're working on your book???

Erika C. said...

Thanks for this. Also sometimes the superlative is not needed at all. Just making the statement is enough and doesn't need it. I know because I use superlatives a lot. My writing group is trying to help me with this.

Our power just came back on after a thunderstorm. It is impressive how quickly the power company can get things back on track, especially after such widespread power outages as we just had. There was even a tornado warning.

pam said...

What a meritorious idea!

Lori ann said...

sweet!

going back to watch the little guineas again ☺

Hilary said...

I've run out of original words to describe how I like this idea. ;)

Von said...

Keep trying it's a useful challenge and doesn't it happen to us all?

Adiya said...

Yes, really good idea. And it will force me to be more creative with my words

Reya Mellicker said...

Every time I visit the U.K. I am amazed to notice how many words they use in their everyday vocabularies. Twice as many as most Americans I know.

Expanding vocabulary is a wonderful thing to do, no matter what your reasons.

I salute you! Bravo!!

California Girl said...

I sometimes feel I'm the queen of superlatives. I overuse them. Also adverbs like very and extremely and so on and so forth. Bad habit.

Bonnie said...

I think we all get in ruts (akk. a cliche`!:). I used to subscribe to Reader's Digest and loved their features that tested your command of the language. It made me think. Ouch!;)

For the life of me, I can't come up with any innovative ways to express myself today...I think I'm blog-dead. I must have that glazed-over look! But Nancy, I think your posts are top-shelf. :)

Anonymous said...

I do that all of the time! I find myself clinging to new words that I hear from other people. My new favorite is "poignant."


I've gotta buy a thesaurus. :)

Anonymous said...

I am going to give it a try.

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Nancy said...

Alex - Feel free to use info from this post - and thank you for asking!