Adjectives - how many are too many?

J C Coy · Mar 12, 2009

Okay, so I just got slammed by an editor for using too many stinkin' adjectives. I got my highlighter out and started marking them and oops...I can't believe how many of the damn things are in there.

What is an acceptable number (as a rule) to have per page? Anyone? Anyone? Seriously, I really need to know, and I need to know like yesterday.

Millicent M'Lady · Mar 12, 2009

J C Coy said:
Okay, so I just got slammed by an editor for using too many stinkin' adjectives. I got my highlighter out and started marking them and oops...I can't believe how many of the damn things are in there.

What is an acceptable number (as a rule) to have per page? Anyone? Anyone? Seriously, I really need to know, and I need to know like yesterday.

I think it depends on what you're writing. If it's in a novel, as long as it doesn't interrupt the flow of the story I don't feel you should necessarily limit yourself. As for journalistic work, I read somewhere that three is a good limit but again I think it depends on the piece and the writer. (That's three per noun). As long as it's not distracting, why be limited?

maestrowork · Mar 12, 2009

Neversage · Mar 12, 2009

As many as are absolutely necessary to convey your story.

If it's a plump, round orange; how is saying it's round useful?

If it's a long, jagged sword; is it important to know that it is long? It is important to know that it is jagged? Perhaps the jagged sword makes recognizable wounds, perhaps it's length is an advantage.

Have you tried reading your story aloud to yourself?

Matera the Mad · Mar 12, 2009

Is that per paragraph or per chapter, O Maestro?

My rule is: only where needed. It's a chewy one.

KTC · Mar 12, 2009

maestrowork said:
42.

I was going to say 43. You're so minimalistic.

I am a closet fan of the adjective. In the old days they were used more often...I love reading the oldies. But, yeah...today...skim is good. Styles and norms change.

Millicent M'Lady · Mar 12, 2009

Matera the Mad said:
Is that per paragraph or per chapter, O Maestro?

My rule is: only where needed. It's a chewy one.

See, I prefer more if it's done properly. I guess it's a matter of personal taste that every writer has to figure out for themself.

Neversage · Mar 12, 2009

Millicent M'Lady said:
See, I prefer more if it's done properly. I guess it's a matter of personal taste that every writer has to figure out for themself.

I suppose it depends on what you're writing as well. Even scene to scene. I have one character that I am rather more liberal with adjectives when I write because that's how she is. Everything slows down.

Others are right to the point. Perhaps it is influenced by how much the character in question would pay attention to the details.

J C Coy · Mar 12, 2009

maestrowork said:
42.

Hah...I think that's a few more than I used.

Gillhoughly · Mar 12, 2009

Read your work aloud.

Read in a louder than normal speaking voice, as though you're in a large room and have to reach people in the back.

When you run out of breath halfway through an adjective laden sentence, it's time to trim.

blacbird · Mar 12, 2009

My rule of thumb is no more than two consecutive adjectives, with ib]extremely[/b] rare exception. Strings of adjectives are killers for me, as a reader.

caw

blacbird · Mar 12, 2009

KTC said:
I was going to say 43. You're so minimalistic.

Christ, I was going for 4.

caw

Gynn · Mar 12, 2009

There's no laws for this stuff. It depends on you!

After a few readings, you'll be able to find the extraneous words. It's like picking weeds.

Too many adjectives lead to breathless sentences, like someone above mentioned:

The glistening orange fruits shimmered in the radiant morning sun, hanging from the skeletal branches like plump, juicy ornaments.

The above is how my first drafts look, because I tend to be "over inspired", if that makes any sense. I'm exploring the images that brought me to the story and putting them on paper. Later on, I'll come back through with a lawnmower.

dancingandflying · Mar 12, 2009

If you think "Do I have too many adjectives?", you have too many.

But seriously, there is no set rule or even guideline about how many adjectives you can use. If it's appropriate for the style and story (i.e. no one notices how many adjectives you use), you're golden. If not, start cutting.

d&f.

Glenakin · Mar 12, 2009

blacbird said:
Christ, I was going for 4.

caw

4?! lol

For me, when necessary. But I try as much as possible to be greedy when using them.

Prozyan · Mar 12, 2009

The answer is always four.

Stunted · Mar 13, 2009

The best advice I ever heard about adjectives is that they should never be obvious. So there's no reason to talk about the "green grass" or the "warm flames", but you can talk about "the bright grass" or the "liquid flames." Or whatever. It's not a hard-fast rule at all, but it's something to keep in mind.

Linda Adams · Mar 13, 2009

I think a good general guideline is that there are too many when:

1. They are distracting to the reader to the point where they notice the adjectives and not the story.

2. They are distracting to the point where they overshadow what's happening in the story or what's important.

NeuroFizz · Mar 13, 2009

Sometimes, in my opinion, too many adjectives come from too much stark description. Try blending description with action. It's a little more work, but it can do triple-duty--eliminate adjectives, turn idle description into something that is happening, and it helps new writers stay out of that lavendar prose zone. So, what about that sword? How long was it? Adjectives needed? How about letting the reader do some of the work via his/her imagination?

He lifted the belt well above his waist and pulled it tight. The tip of the sword finally cleared the ground.

It's not the best example, but it gets across the idea the sword is long, the character is short, or both. Also, depending on context, it can create a comedic tone, or add a little extra tension through a David vs. Goliath image.

RobJ · Mar 13, 2009

As others have said, there's no strict numerical limit. If they're necessary, by all means use them. If they're not, cut them. Try this on a piece of your writing: remove all adjectives, then put back only those that you can't do without. You soon get a feel for how many you can live without.

Cheers,
Rob

Cyia · Mar 13, 2009

If you notice them, there are too many.

Phaeal · Mar 13, 2009

Another thing to keep in mind: Don't use a noun and adjective when a more specific noun stands alone. For example:

The Islamic warrior threateningly held a relatively short curved sword.

Okay, I threw in a couple adverbs for good measure, because the principle is the same: Verb plus adverb < Strong, specific verb. Let's revise the above sentence, substituting specifics for the modified vagues:

The Saracen brandished a scimitar.

Specifics give color and verb to prose. Never just write that a bird (or a medium-sized bright bird) flew by when you can say a blue jay or a cardinal did. Tall trees of different sorts grew around the open space? Blah. How about sycamores and maples ringed the clearing? Mmm, that has some savor to it.

scarletpeaches · Mar 13, 2009

blacbird said:
My rule of thumb is no more than two consecutive adjectives, with ib]extremely[/b] rare exception. Strings of adjectives are killers for me, as a reader.

caw

Even that's too many for me. If the noun and surrounding text don't do the job properly, adjectives end up being a crutch.

James81 · Mar 13, 2009

Phaeal said:
Another thing to keep in mind: Don't use a noun and adjective when a more specific noun stands alone. For example:

The Islamic warrior threateningly held a relatively short curved sword.

Okay, I threw in a couple adverbs for good measure, because the principle is the same: Verb plus adverb < Strong, specific verb. Let's revise the above sentence, substituting specifics for the modified vagues:

The Saracen brandished a scimitar.

Specifics give color and verb to prose. Never just write that a bird (or a medium-sized bright bird) flew by when you can say a blue jay or a cardinal did. Tall trees of different sorts grew around the open space? Blah. How about sycamores and maples ringed the clearing? Mmm, that has some savor to it.

Something to think about when you are writing that this example sort of brings out: know your audience.

Her example in a fantasy novel would work really well. But if, for some odd reason, it was in a literary novel, then your audience will have no clue what a "saracen" or a "scimitar" is. Sometimes it's better to use too many adjectives and know that your audience is clear on what you are talking about than it is to cut a sentence down like this and your audience not have a clue what you are talking about.

Mr Flibble · Mar 13, 2009

James81 said:
But if, for some odd reason, it was in a literary novel, then your audience will have no clue what a "saracen" or a "scimitar" is.

You don't credit your audience with much intelligence do you?

Be specific, as long as the words aren't totally obscure, sure. But specifics with everyday words are fine.

Adjectives - how many are too many?

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