

Jul 23, 2012 This week's theme

Adverbs



This week's words

betimes

incognito

agee

sine die

larruping

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RSS/XML Adverbs A.Word.A.Day with Anu Garg



Writers who offer writing advice have not been kind to the adverb. From Mark Twain to Stephen King to Strunk & White, they all have taken it out on this poor part of speech. To be fair, there's a certain truth to what they say. Overuse of the adverb may indicate a failure of imagination. Too much dependence on the adverb may make the writing stilted. But judicious use of this black sheep of the parts-of-speech family may be useful at times. Instead of softly and quickly and extremely, try this week's adverbs for a change. But use them sparingly. betimes PRONUNCIATION: (bih-TYMZ)

MEANING: adverb:

1. Sometimes; on occasion.

2. In good time; early.

3. Quickly; soon.

ETYMOLOGY: From Middle English bitimes, from bi (by) + time. Earliest documented use: 1314.

USAGE: "I'm urged betimes to write something about this book or that author."

A Quest to Fix Unfair Neglect; Fort Worth Star-Telegram; Jul 19, 1998.



"Since Knott was leaving in the morning, she went to bed betimes."

Betty Neels; Roses Have Thorns; Harlequin; 2012.

See more usage examples of betimes in Vocabulary.com's dictionary.



A THOUGHT FOR TODAY: A hungry man is not a free man. -Adlai Stevenson, statesman (1900-1965)





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