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Are paired adjectives bad style?

Are paired adjectives bad style?

What's with all the hate on adjectives and adverbs?How do I get rid of the tic of paired adjectives, predicates, etc.?What are the most common style manuals?What style suggestions are common for which words are used in hyperlinks?What are widely-used UK-English style guides?Very long sentences: personal style or just bad writing?Writers style, voiceAre rhymes bad in prose?Are -lich adjectives and adverbs critiqued in German fiction?Is Having Two Titles Bad Style?Are reactive protagonists inherently a bad thing?Is using an 'empty' metaphor considered bad style?

2

I have the habit of using paired adjectives in my writing:

• The noise from the engine lulled her with its slow and monotonous rythim ...


• ... the lights on the ceiling filled the room in a soft and warm hue ...


• ... his skin was smooth and thin, like paper ...

The examples may be not 100% accurate since I don't usually write in english, but let's pretend.

Now, sometimes even single adjectives are frowned upon (What's with all the hate on adjectives and adverbs?) - so by logic paired adjectives shouldn't be any better.
I remember reading reviews criticizing this very aspect in published novels, but I never understood if there are solid reasons to back up this opinion.

So, are paired adjectives bad style - and if so, why?

Related question, in technical-writing:

• How do I get rid of the tic of paired adjectives, predicates, etc.?

creative-writing style conventions

share|improve this question

asked 3 hours ago

LiquidLiquid

6,99921553

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  This is one of those things that might be treated differently by different languages. Like using 'said' all the time is "good writing" in English, but "bad writing" in French - French prefers said-bookisms.
  
  – Galastel
  9 mins ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

2

I have the habit of using paired adjectives in my writing:

• The noise from the engine lulled her with its slow and monotonous rythim ...


• ... the lights on the ceiling filled the room in a soft and warm hue ...


• ... his skin was smooth and thin, like paper ...

The examples may be not 100% accurate since I don't usually write in english, but let's pretend.

Now, sometimes even single adjectives are frowned upon (What's with all the hate on adjectives and adverbs?) - so by logic paired adjectives shouldn't be any better.
I remember reading reviews criticizing this very aspect in published novels, but I never understood if there are solid reasons to back up this opinion.

So, are paired adjectives bad style - and if so, why?

Related question, in technical-writing:

• How do I get rid of the tic of paired adjectives, predicates, etc.?

creative-writing style conventions

share|improve this question

asked 3 hours ago

LiquidLiquid

6,99921553

• 
  
  
  

  
  1
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  This is one of those things that might be treated differently by different languages. Like using 'said' all the time is "good writing" in English, but "bad writing" in French - French prefers said-bookisms.
  
  – Galastel
  9 mins ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

I have the habit of using paired adjectives in my writing:

• The noise from the engine lulled her with its slow and monotonous rythim ...


• ... the lights on the ceiling filled the room in a soft and warm hue ...


• ... his skin was smooth and thin, like paper ...

The examples may be not 100% accurate since I don't usually write in english, but let's pretend.

Now, sometimes even single adjectives are frowned upon (What's with all the hate on adjectives and adverbs?) - so by logic paired adjectives shouldn't be any better.
I remember reading reviews criticizing this very aspect in published novels, but I never understood if there are solid reasons to back up this opinion.

So, are paired adjectives bad style - and if so, why?

Related question, in technical-writing:

• How do I get rid of the tic of paired adjectives, predicates, etc.?

creative-writing style conventions

share|improve this question

asked 3 hours ago

LiquidLiquid

6,99921553

share|improve this question

asked 3 hours ago

LiquidLiquid

6,99921553

share|improve this question

asked 3 hours ago

LiquidLiquid

6,99921553

asked 3 hours ago

LiquidLiquid

6,99921553

asked 3 hours ago

LiquidLiquid

6,99921553

2 Answers
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2

As a reader, adjectives are helpful in making a better image of what the writer is trying to say. But repeating adjectives that have almost the same or similar meaning (e.g. slow and monotonous, soft and warm, thin and frail) would be considered a bad style, as it would be counted as irrelevant explanation and waste of words, and would definitely bore the reader.

But pairing adjectives like smooth and thin, etc is fine as they both describe completely different properties of the paper and one of them can not replace the other.

share|improve this answer

edited 14 mins ago

answered 1 hour ago

Bella SwanBella Swan

315

New contributor

Bella Swan is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

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2

The double adjectives might be creating a sentence rhythm that feels strong while you write because it seems to "double bounce" in a smooth way – in this case it's not a fast bounce that picks up speed, it is a slow bounce that causes the pace of reading to become deliberate, like when you take a deep breath and let it out. "One and two…, ahhhh"

I'm going to start a writing war and say ADJECTIVES ARE GOOD (in general), but what might be catching your critical eye is that you notice it keeps happening, and maybe the 2 adjectives are not really as strong as a well-chosen single word, or maybe the double-bounce slow pace doesn't match the tone you are trying to achieve for the scene.

It's ok, that's what re-writing is for. If the double adjective helps you get through the first draft, and you change it on the re-write, that's a normal part of writing. The first draft will end up having these language rhythms and figures of speech that come out of habit and familiarity. Now that you have recognized your pattern, you can decide how to deal with it.

It works in the context of slowing down, of slow breathing, of a character reassuring herself that everything is fine. Obviously you will want to break that pattern or avoid it when everything is not fine. You could even attach the quirk to one character who speaks in these rhythmic patterns as a way to hypnotize or reassure, and then later when you break the pattern we know they are not ok.

share|improve this answer

edited 7 secs ago

answered 25 mins ago

wetcircuitwetcircuit

12k22256

add a comment | 

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2

As a reader, adjectives are helpful in making a better image of what the writer is trying to say. But repeating adjectives that have almost the same or similar meaning (e.g. slow and monotonous, soft and warm, thin and frail) would be considered a bad style, as it would be counted as irrelevant explanation and waste of words, and would definitely bore the reader.

But pairing adjectives like smooth and thin, etc is fine as they both describe completely different properties of the paper and one of them can not replace the other.

share|improve this answer

edited 14 mins ago

answered 1 hour ago

Bella SwanBella Swan

315

New contributor

Bella Swan is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

add a comment | 

2

As a reader, adjectives are helpful in making a better image of what the writer is trying to say. But repeating adjectives that have almost the same or similar meaning (e.g. slow and monotonous, soft and warm, thin and frail) would be considered a bad style, as it would be counted as irrelevant explanation and waste of words, and would definitely bore the reader.

But pairing adjectives like smooth and thin, etc is fine as they both describe completely different properties of the paper and one of them can not replace the other.

share|improve this answer

edited 14 mins ago

answered 1 hour ago

Bella SwanBella Swan

315

New contributor

Bella Swan is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

add a comment | 

As a reader, adjectives are helpful in making a better image of what the writer is trying to say. But repeating adjectives that have almost the same or similar meaning (e.g. slow and monotonous, soft and warm, thin and frail) would be considered a bad style, as it would be counted as irrelevant explanation and waste of words, and would definitely bore the reader.

But pairing adjectives like smooth and thin, etc is fine as they both describe completely different properties of the paper and one of them can not replace the other.

share|improve this answer

edited 14 mins ago

answered 1 hour ago

Bella SwanBella Swan

315

New contributor

Bella Swan is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

share|improve this answer

edited 14 mins ago

answered 1 hour ago

Bella SwanBella Swan

315

New contributor

Bella Swan is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

answered 1 hour ago

Bella SwanBella Swan

315

New contributor

Bella Swan is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.

answered 1 hour ago

Bella SwanBella Swan

315

2

The double adjectives might be creating a sentence rhythm that feels strong while you write because it seems to "double bounce" in a smooth way – in this case it's not a fast bounce that picks up speed, it is a slow bounce that causes the pace of reading to become deliberate, like when you take a deep breath and let it out. "One and two…, ahhhh"

I'm going to start a writing war and say ADJECTIVES ARE GOOD (in general), but what might be catching your critical eye is that you notice it keeps happening, and maybe the 2 adjectives are not really as strong as a well-chosen single word, or maybe the double-bounce slow pace doesn't match the tone you are trying to achieve for the scene.

It's ok, that's what re-writing is for. If the double adjective helps you get through the first draft, and you change it on the re-write, that's a normal part of writing. The first draft will end up having these language rhythms and figures of speech that come out of habit and familiarity. Now that you have recognized your pattern, you can decide how to deal with it.

It works in the context of slowing down, of slow breathing, of a character reassuring herself that everything is fine. Obviously you will want to break that pattern or avoid it when everything is not fine. You could even attach the quirk to one character who speaks in these rhythmic patterns as a way to hypnotize or reassure, and then later when you break the pattern we know they are not ok.

share|improve this answer

edited 7 secs ago

answered 25 mins ago

wetcircuitwetcircuit

12k22256

add a comment | 

2

The double adjectives might be creating a sentence rhythm that feels strong while you write because it seems to "double bounce" in a smooth way – in this case it's not a fast bounce that picks up speed, it is a slow bounce that causes the pace of reading to become deliberate, like when you take a deep breath and let it out. "One and two…, ahhhh"

I'm going to start a writing war and say ADJECTIVES ARE GOOD (in general), but what might be catching your critical eye is that you notice it keeps happening, and maybe the 2 adjectives are not really as strong as a well-chosen single word, or maybe the double-bounce slow pace doesn't match the tone you are trying to achieve for the scene.

It's ok, that's what re-writing is for. If the double adjective helps you get through the first draft, and you change it on the re-write, that's a normal part of writing. The first draft will end up having these language rhythms and figures of speech that come out of habit and familiarity. Now that you have recognized your pattern, you can decide how to deal with it.

It works in the context of slowing down, of slow breathing, of a character reassuring herself that everything is fine. Obviously you will want to break that pattern or avoid it when everything is not fine. You could even attach the quirk to one character who speaks in these rhythmic patterns as a way to hypnotize or reassure, and then later when you break the pattern we know they are not ok.

share|improve this answer

edited 7 secs ago

answered 25 mins ago

wetcircuitwetcircuit

12k22256

add a comment | 

The double adjectives might be creating a sentence rhythm that feels strong while you write because it seems to "double bounce" in a smooth way – in this case it's not a fast bounce that picks up speed, it is a slow bounce that causes the pace of reading to become deliberate, like when you take a deep breath and let it out. "One and two…, ahhhh"

I'm going to start a writing war and say ADJECTIVES ARE GOOD (in general), but what might be catching your critical eye is that you notice it keeps happening, and maybe the 2 adjectives are not really as strong as a well-chosen single word, or maybe the double-bounce slow pace doesn't match the tone you are trying to achieve for the scene.

It's ok, that's what re-writing is for. If the double adjective helps you get through the first draft, and you change it on the re-write, that's a normal part of writing. The first draft will end up having these language rhythms and figures of speech that come out of habit and familiarity. Now that you have recognized your pattern, you can decide how to deal with it.

It works in the context of slowing down, of slow breathing, of a character reassuring herself that everything is fine. Obviously you will want to break that pattern or avoid it when everything is not fine. You could even attach the quirk to one character who speaks in these rhythmic patterns as a way to hypnotize or reassure, and then later when you break the pattern we know they are not ok.

share|improve this answer

edited 7 secs ago

answered 25 mins ago

wetcircuitwetcircuit

12k22256

share|improve this answer

edited 7 secs ago

answered 25 mins ago

wetcircuitwetcircuit

12k22256

answered 25 mins ago

wetcircuitwetcircuit

12k22256

answered 25 mins ago

wetcircuitwetcircuit

12k22256