Adverb Usage Check

This rule identifies and flags unnecessary adverbs (words ending in "-ly") in your writing. The rule aims to promote clearer, more concise writing by reducing reliance on adverbs, which often weaken prose and can be replaced with stronger verbs or eliminated entirely. This aligns with Microsoft's style guide recommendation for using simple words and concise sentences.

Many adverbs are unnecessary modifiers that add wordiness without adding value. For example, instead of writing "she quickly ran," you could write "she sprinted," which is more precise and impactful. Removing unnecessary adverbs helps create more direct, engaging content.

Examples:

The rule flags adverbs like:

  • "He carefully examined the document" → Consider: "He examined the document"
  • "She quickly ran to the store" → Consider: "She rushed to the store"
  • "The system automatically processes the data" → Consider: "The system processes the data"
  • "He very deliberately chose his words" → Consider: "He chose his words"
  • "The program naturally integrates with existing tools" → Consider: "The program integrates with existing tools"

When these words are detected, the rule issues a warning suggesting their removal to improve writing clarity and conciseness.

Rule Source

This rule comes from: https://github.com/mesosphere/dcos-docs-site

Rule Definition

extends: existence
message: "Consider removing '%s'."
link: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/style-guide/word-choice/use-simple-words-concise-sentences
ignorecase: true
level: warning
action:
  name: remove
tokens:
  - abnormally
  - absentmindedly
  - accidentally
  - adventurously
  - anxiously
  - arrogantly
  - awkwardly
  - bashfully
  - beautifully
  - bitterly
  - bleakly
  - blindly
  - blissfully
  - boastfully
  - boldly
  - bravely
  - briefly
  - brightly
  - briskly
  - broadly
  - busily
  - calmly
  - carefully
  - carelessly
  - cautiously
  - cheerfully
  - cleverly
  - closely
  - coaxingly
  - colorfully
  - continually
  - coolly
  - courageously
  - crossly
  - cruelly
  - curiously
  - daintily
  - dearly
  - deceivingly
  - deeply
  - defiantly
  - deliberately
  - delightfully
  - diligently
  - dimly
  - doubtfully
  - dreamily
  - easily
  - elegantly
  - energetically
  - enormously
  - enthusiastically
  - excitedly
  - extremely
  - fairly
  - faithfully
  - famously
  - ferociously
  - fervently
  - fiercely
  - fondly
  - foolishly
  - fortunately
  - frankly
  - frantically
  - freely
  - frenetically
  - frightfully
  - furiously
  - generally
  - generously
  - gently
  - gladly
  - gleefully
  - gracefully
  - gratefully
  - greatly
  - greedily
  - happily
  - hastily
  - healthily
  - heavily
  - helplessly
  - honestly
  - hopelessly
  - hungrily
  - innocently
  - inquisitively
  - intensely
  - intently
  - interestingly
  - inwardly
  - irritably
  - jaggedly
  - jealously
  - jovially
  - joyfully
  - joyously
  - jubilantly
  - judgmentally
  - justly
  - keenly
  - kiddingly
  - kindheartedly
  - knavishly
  - knowingly
  - knowledgeably
  - lazily
  - lightly
  - limply
  - lively
  - loftily
  - longingly
  - loosely
  - loudly
  - lovingly
  - loyally
  - madly
  - majestically
  - meaningfully
  - mechanically
  - merrily
  - miserably
  - mockingly
  - mortally
  - mysteriously
  - naturally
  - nearly
  - neatly
  - nervously
  - nicely
  - noisily
  - obediently
  - obnoxiously
  - oddly
  - offensively
  - optimistically
  - overconfidently
  - painfully
  - partially
  - patiently
  - perfectly
  - playfully
  - politely
  - poorly
  - positively
  - potentially
  - powerfully
  - promptly
  - properly
  - punctually
  - quaintly
  - queasily
  - queerly
  - questionably
  - quickly
  - quietly
  - quirkily
  - quizzically
  - randomly
  - rapidly
  - rarely
  - readily
  - really
  - reassuringly
  - recklessly
  - regularly
  - reluctantly
  - repeatedly
  - reproachfully
  - restfully
  - righteously
  - rightfully
  - rigidly
  - roughly
  - rudely
  - safely
  - scarcely
  - scarily
  - searchingly
  - sedately
  - seemingly
  - selfishly
  - separately
  - seriously
  - shakily
  - sharply
  - sheepishly
  - shrilly
  - shyly
  - silently
  - sleepily
  - slowly
  - smoothly
  - softly
  - solemnly
  - solidly
  - speedily
  - stealthily
  - sternly
  - strictly
  - suddenly
  - supposedly
  - surprisingly
  - suspiciously
  - sweetly
  - swiftly
  - sympathetically
  - tenderly
  - tensely
  - terribly
  - thankfully
  - thoroughly
  - thoughtfully
  - tightly
  - tremendously
  - triumphantly
  - truthfully
  - ultimately
  - unabashedly
  - unaccountably
  - unbearably
  - unethically
  - unexpectedly
  - unfortunately
  - unimpressively
  - unnaturally
  - unnecessarily
  - urgently
  - usefully
  - uselessly
  - utterly
  - vacantly
  - vaguely
  - vainly
  - valiantly
  - vastly
  - verbally
  - very
  - viciously
  - victoriously
  - violently
  - vivaciously
  - voluntarily
  - warmly
  - weakly
  - wearily
  - wetly
  - wholly
  - wildly
  - willfully
  - wisely
  - woefully
  - wonderfully
  - worriedly
  - yawningly
  - yearningly
  - yieldingly
  - youthfully
  - zealously
  - zestfully
  - zestily