Should you really not use adverbs or adjectives?

Writing Tips from Writers Write

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We sure can! 

As many of us know, suddenly is an adverb that means ”quickly and without warning; unexpectedly”.  Adverbs being adverbs, there are right and wrong ways to use any and all adverbs. 

So before we jump into our main point, let’s have a little lesson on using adverbs. 

Adverbs

Adverbs modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs. The adverbs that we are all familiar with and are taught in elementary English to identify are words that end with -ly, however, some adverbs (always, here, there) don't end in -ly. 

The most common misuse of an adverb I see is the use of the adverb "badly". 

Bad is always an adjective and should be used to describe a noun, while badly should always be used to modify a verb.

Examples:

1. The sisters felt badly bad when they realized they had left their brother out of the planning.

2.She feels bad badly because her fingers were burned. 

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 Now let's talk about "suddenly". 

It's a common opinion that your writing is much stronger without the use of the adverb "suddenly". Often it is thought to be redundant and commonplace, and usually unneeded. 

If the word is used properly, however, it can be helpful to describe scenes for your character. 

Example:

"What do you mean John slept with Mary?" Janie asked, suddenly aware of all of the people that were looking at them.

Suddenly should be used where the suddenness of the situation isn't apparent. Characters can definitely suddenly feel things if you don't build it up to your reader beforehand ("I suddenly felt weak"). 

It can also be used for natural disasters (just going off the question for this) and the like as long as it is believable. Earthquakes can suddenly happen, but wildfires usually have a predetermining action (such as lightening or people). 

In conclusion, "suddenly" is an adverb that as long as it's used appropriately in the situation, it doesn't detract from the situation at hand and slow the reader down.

If there are any other questions, please send them to the inbox and I will continue to update this post as they come!