Below is a fellow teacher’s (Ray ?) handout from Abdullah Gul University in Turkey. Use the thesaurus in your writing program!
| Avoid saying very: | Say: |
| afraid | terrified |
| angry | furious |
| bad | atrocious |
| beautiful | exquisite |
| big | immense |
| bright | dazzling |
| capable | accomplished |
| clean | spotless |
| clever | brilliant |
| cold | freezing |
| conventional | conservative |
| dirty | squalid |
| dry | parched |
| eager | keen |
| fast | quick |
| fierce | ferocious |
| good | superb |
| happy | jubilant |
| hot | scalding |
| hungry | ravenous |
| large | colossal |
| lively | vivacious |
| loved | adored |
| neat | immaculate |
| old | ancient |
| poor | destitute |
| pretty | gorgeous |
| quiet | silent |
| risky | perilous |
| roomy | spacious |
| rude | vulgar |
| serious | solemn |
| small | tiny |
| strong | unyielding |
| stupid | idiotic |
| tasty | delicious |
| thin | gaunt |
| tired | exhausted |
| ugly | hideous |
| valuable | precious |
| weak | feeble |
| wet | soaked |
| wicked | villainous |
| wise | sagacious |
| worried | anxious |
| www.writeswrite.co.za Oh dear, like many personal teacher’s websites, this one is no longer available. Thanks to the original writer, whoever and wherever you are! |
Alice Delaney Walker - Teacher, Writer, Traveller 