No more "very important", there is a whole world of options

I would dare to confirm that most of us rely on the combination "very + adjectives" whenever we want to emphasize or upgrade a description. It is not a bad idea. Yet, your speech might sound plain and predictable.

The word "very" is certainly overused in the English language when there are many colorful alternatives to it.

I will present some alternatives below. Feel free to pin some to your vocabulary list and start using them.

Instead of saying: Very good

You can say…

1. Excellent!
2. Fantastic!
3. Superb!
4. Terrific!
5. Great!

Getting into context:

I had an excellent day!

The movie was fantastic!

It was a great piece of advice.

We have already sold the tickets for the show. Superb!

My dad had terrific news for the family yesterday.

Instead of saying: Very interesting

You can say…

1. Fascinating
2. Compelling
3. Captivating
4. Engaging

Getting into context:

The documentary was fascinating!

The images were truly compelling!

At first, the audience was not motivated, but it turned out to be a captivating event.

The use of the media was very engaging for the clients.

Instead of saying: Very tired

You can say…

1. Exhausted
2. Worn out
3. Spent
4. Burnt out

Getting into context:

After working for 10 hours, I am exhausted.

I work with kids all day, and when I get home, I am worn out!

I just finished my night shift. I am spent!

Working for 8 hours with no break! Clearly, she was burnt out.

Instead of saying: Very important

You can say…

1. essential
2. crucial
3. critical

Getting into context:

The new changes are essential to increase the sales.

This topic is crucial for understanding the new policies.

We are at a critical stage of the project.

Extra tips:

• Do not change "very" for "really, so + adjectives". The result will be similar.
• Always consider context and nuances before choosing synonyms.
• Do not stick with only one option.
• If you miss the chance to use a new word, rethink your sentence and try to use it the next time you have a chance.

I know the word very has been a lifesaver in our journey, but the day has come to let it go. There is nothing wrong with it; I repeat, we still love it. But we want to expand our vocabulary and change old habits.