QuoteProject
As to the adjective: when in doubt, strike it out.
Mark Twain
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote suggests that unnecessary adjectives can dilute clarity and impact in writing.

Mark Twain's quote emphasizes the importance of clarity and conciseness in communication. By advising to eliminate adjectives when in doubt, he highlights that simplicity often leads to stronger and more effective expression. This approach encourages writers to focus on the essence of their message rather than embellishing it with superfluous language.

Themes

WritingClarityConcisenessCommunicationAdjectives

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be used in a writing workshop to emphasize the importance of clear expression.

More from Mark Twain

Weather is a literary specialty, and no untrained hand can turn out a good article on it
Mark TwainRead
The easy part of being an artist is figuring out the message that everyone else is ready to hear. The hard part is waiting for the proper lull to make the announcement.
Mark TwainRead
You can't reason with your heart; it has its own laws, and thumps about things which the intellect scorns.
Mark TwainRead
To be good is noble; but to show others how to be good is nobler and no trouble.
Mark TwainRead
Name the greatest of all inventors. Accident.
Mark TwainRead
In Paris they just simply opened their eyes and stared when we spoke to them in French! We never did succeed in making those idiots understand their own language.
Mark TwainRead

Similar quotes

If you interrupt the writing of fast narrative with too much introspection and self-criticism, you will be lucky if you write 500 words a day and you will be disgusted with them into the bargain. By following my formula, you write 2,000 words a day and you aren’t disgusted with them until the book is finished, which will be in about six weeks.
Ian FlemingRead
When I finish a first draft, it's always just as much of a mess as it's always been. I still make the same mistakes every time.
Michael ChabonRead
Composing on the typewriter, I find that I am sloughing off all my long sentences which I used to dote upon. Short, staccato, like modern French prose. The typewriter makes for lucidity, but I am not sure that it encourages subtlety.
T. S. EliotRead
When I'm working on a book, I constantly retype my own sentences. Every day I go back to page one and just retype what I have. It gets me into a rhythm.
Joan DidionRead
You might 'write from the heart,' but you'd better polish with your brain.
Margaret AtwoodRead
When you write, you lay out a line of words. _x000D_ Soon you find yourself deep in new territory.
Annie DillardRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.