Writing with Adjectives
The Editing Order That Saves the Most Time
Fixing commas in a paragraph you later delete is wasted work. Edit from the largest unit down to the smallest,…
The right word, for whatever you are trying to describe
Adjective lists for every subject you might write about, and plain-English guides to using them well. Free, and written to be read in a couple of minutes.
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One half teaches you to use adjectives well. The other hands you the words.
186 guides
Writing with Adjectives
How adjectives behave in a sentence — the order they fall into, how they compare, when they carry opinion rather than fact, and how to reach for a vivid word without overreaching.
Browse the guides702 word lists
Adjectives by Subject
Curated describing words for people, food, places, feelings, work and more — each list sorted by shade of meaning, with example sentences so you can hear how the word behaves.
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Pick the subject you are writing about — the list is already made.
Nature & Environment
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74 lists
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69 lists
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68 lists
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66 lists
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65 lists
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49 lists
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New guides
Writing with Adjectives
Reading Level: Who Is This Actually For?
Most professional writing is pitched several years above its audience, and the writers doing it believe simplicity would make them…
Writing with Adjectives
Conditionals: If, Would, and the Sentence That Describes an Impossible Past
Four patterns, and the third one lets English talk about things that did not happen — which is a stranger…
Writing with Adjectives
Tenses: Which Past Is Which
English has four ways to talk about the past, and the difference between them is not when something happened but…
Writing with Adjectives
Subject-Verb Agreement: The Cases That Actually Trip People
Nobody writes "he go". The errors happen when words come between the subject and its verb, or when the subject…
Writing with Adjectives
How to Proofread Your Own Writing When Your Brain Refuses To
You read what you meant, not what you wrote. Every reliable technique is a way of interrupting that, and none…
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Editors’ picks
Animals & Creatures
Describing Turtles: A Guide to Adjectives for Turtle Enthusiasts
Understanding how to use adjectives to describe turtles is crucial for clear and vivid communication, whether you’re a budding herpetologist,…
Emotions & Feelings
Adjectives for Happiness: A Comprehensive Guide
Happiness is a universal emotion, and describing it effectively can significantly enhance your communication skills. This article provides a comprehensive…
Objects & Everyday Things
Describing Bags: A Comprehensive Guide to Adjectives
Choosing the right adjectives to describe a bag can elevate your writing and communication, whether you’re describing a stylish purse,…
Appearance & Physical Traits
Describing Orange: A Comprehensive Guide to Adjectives
The English language is rich with words, and adjectives play a crucial role in adding color and detail to our…
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Grammar essentials
01
Descriptive Adjectives: Painting Vivid Settings with Words
Writing with Adjectives · 18 min
02
Elevate Your Writing: Powerful Adjectives to Replace “Said”
Writing with Adjectives · 19 min
03
Descriptive Adjectives: Enhancing Speech and Writing
Writing with Adjectives · 15 min
04
The Dangling Modifier, and Why Your Sentence Sounds Absurd
Writing with Adjectives · 3 min
05
Comprise, Compose, Consist: The One That Takes No “Of”
Writing with Adjectives · 2 min
06
Describing the Void: Mastering Adjectives for Silence
Writing with Adjectives · 12 min
07
Descriptive Adjectives: Highlighting Notable Achievements
Writing with Adjectives · 14 min
08
Describing Deliciousness: Mastering Adjectives for Food
Writing with Adjectives · 15 min
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Plain-English grammar guides and curated adjective lists. Free to read, checked against Merriam-Webster, Chicago and AP before publication.
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