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Q&A Are paired adjectives bad style?

I would strive for variety in your writing, so the fact that you've already noticed a pattern means you need to be careful. Overuse of that single technique - even if you choose the perfect pair ev...

posted 5y ago by icanfathom‭  ·  last activity 4y ago by System‭

Answer
#4: Attribution notice removed by user avatar System‭ · 2020-01-02T16:43:48Z (about 4 years ago)
Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/43044
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
#3: Attribution notice added by user avatar System‭ · 2019-12-08T11:09:52Z (over 4 years ago)
Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/43044
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
#2: Initial revision by (deleted user) · 2019-12-08T11:09:52Z (over 4 years ago)
I would strive for variety in your writing, so the fact that you've already noticed a pattern means you need to be careful. Overuse of that single technique - even if you choose the perfect pair every time - will turn you into a one-trick pony.

I like where @wetcircuit was going with their answer, but want to expound just a little more.

### Number of words used to describe something:

**3 words:** Good rhythm. Readers love groups of three.

> She was the queen's daughter, no doubt: dark, beautiful, deadly.

**2 words:** Good at elaborating or showing contrast.

> Her bright, fancy dress hid a cold and sinister heart.

**1 word:** Sometimes gives the most impact.

> The grin on her face could only mean one thing. Trouble.

Choose the right number of adjectives for your sentence, recognizing that these are flexible and will depend on context and how recently you used that same technique.

#1: Imported from external source by user avatar System‭ · 2019-03-05T17:47:24Z (about 5 years ago)
Original score: 1