Is really a bad word?

[kromanjon]

Quite a way into my latest musings when I notice that I use the word "really" alot. Is this a no no in english or allright or allright but only when used sparingly and properly.

Of course I understand all words should be used properly but I know quite a few words in swedish that I can usually delete on sight as they tend to be superflous, but in english I'm not quite as sure.

Anyway, I'm making this too complicated. Is "really" a word I should avoid or a I allowed to use it?

 

[Brian G Turner]

I think the fact you're picking up a stand out word from your writing means you've already figured you're over using it.

 

[Fishbowl Helmet]

Most writers and editors tend to agree that intensifiers like "really" and "very" actually weaken prose. Instead pick a stronger verb. Rather than very cold, say freezing, rather than very sad, say morose.

 

[The Judge]

It depends how you're using them. In narrative as a modifier (eg "she's really clever," "that's really interesting"), I'd go easy -- as FH says, there are often better alternatives, though that's not to say remove them all, since sometimes the rhythm of a line, or its feel, can be helped eg "He was really annoying her" might sound better than a more abrupt "He was irritating her" since it gives a flavour of the POV character's voice.

But it's also used to mean "in reality" eg "He appeared to be intelligent but really he was as thick as a brick." In that case, it's as good as any other word -- though again, don't overuse it.

In dialogue, of course, go with how that person speaks -- most people have verbal tricks such as overusing "really" or "actually", so copy that (within reason!).

You can also use "really" as a kind of exclamation, particularly from someone older, so if character A swears, character B who is a non-swearer might say "Really!" and also it can be used as an interrogative, "Really?" especially when confronted by something implausible, or as a substitute for an ironical "Indeed?" In those uses, again, it's fine.

 

[kromanjon]

Thanks guys and yes Brian, I kinda figured that I did overuse it. I just didn't know if I should get rid of them all.

I usually use it as an intensifier as FH said but at the sae time the story is close third so I'm trying to sneak in the main characters voice a bit.

I just finished up todays writing and only used "really" once in this sentence:
“PerhapsI’ll tie you up as well,” she threatened weakly, not really aiming the gun athim.

I wanted to suggest that she motioned the gun in his direction half-heartedly but not using that word since a half-heartedly after threatening weakly seemed like crap writing.

I know one example isn't much to go by but do you think this one looks allright?

 

[Phyrebrat]

“Perhaps I’ll tie you up as well,” she threatened weakly, not really aiming the gun at him.

I wanted to suggest that she motioned the gun in his direction half-heartedly but not using that word since a half-heartedly after threatening weakly seemed like crap writing.

I know one example isn't much to go by but do you think this one looks all right?

In this context I think it is perfectly acceptable but as I, Brian said, if you are highlighting it now, you may be edging into overusing it. However, the 'weakly' may be better off being dropped as this and 'really' are both giving the same effect. You could give the gun a motion like 'wavering' if it bothers you.

pH

 

[kromanjon]

Agreed phyrebrat, I'll remove the weakly but I think I'll hold on to the really for now. This is just the first draft anyway.

Thanks all.

 

[The Judge]

Well, it's acceptable, certainly, though I have to say I'm not over-enamoured by the sentence as a whole, and I'm with Phyrebrat in thinking the "weakly" isn't really (ha!) helping.

I'm not sure whose POV we're in. If it's hers, I'd be tempted to swap the "weakly" for "half-heartedly" and perhaps "trying to point the gun at him" which shows her ambivalence towards doing it (either that or it's a very heavy gun...). If it's from his POV, something like "waving the gun in his general direction" or "nearly pointing the gun at him" might get the idea across a little better.

 

[Tecdavid]

I think TJ makes a good point about dialogue. Common use of words like 'really' could work well in younger characters' dialogue, I think.
I think the same rule applies to narrative, too, if your style is 3rd person close. Then, the narrative can differ depending on who it's following, so if a scene focuses on a character with such a verbal tic, a few extra 'reallies' might not be such a problem. What everyone says is true, though; it’s never a good idea to go utterly overboard with any word.