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Regarding 1, something I've noticed on HN is the overuse of some adverbs. "Absolutely" comes to mind. "I absolutely agree" could as well be "I agree".

bspear 4y ago
True, I wonder if it's driven by people's need to over-express over the internet since there's no body language
- paufernandez 4y ago
  I think some people overexpress in general, regardless of the medium. I think it comes from an excess of "passion", which is like permanent exageration. I am prone to it, that's why I know, and I try to keep it under control.
  - rayiner 4y ago
    > I think it comes from an excess of "passion", which is like permanent exageration. I am prone to it, that's why I know, and I try to keep it under control. We thank you. I suffer from the opposite problem—extremely deadpan personality. I insert exclamation points randomly in emails to seem human.
kranner 4y ago
I don't know; "absolutely" can add emphasis. Advising someone not to use it because "agree" covers it anyway feels like trying to suppress their personality. We're communicating, not playing language golf.
- stackbutterflow 4y ago
  I feel that it dilutes the meaning of whatever comes after. "I agree" conveys a stronger tone than "I absolutely agree". Same as "I love you" is more powerful than "I absolutely love you". I see it as a filler word that doesn't add anything to the sentence. It's subjective I know. Also I would add that if you "absolutely [verb]" all the time you might as well [verb].
- hammock 4y ago
  Unnecessary emphasis betrays insecurity on the part of the author.
kwyjibo1230 4y ago
I try to remove common enhancing adverbs when writing emails at work. Removing "very," "definitely," "absolutely," etc. makes professional communication come across more authoritatively and clearly. I still use adverbs to be clear, but they need to communicate something specific that is otherwise hard to articulate.
- Flenser 4y ago
  There's a Chrome Extension for Gmail and Outlook for web that helps you send more confident emails by warning you when you use words which undermine your message. https://justnotsorry.com https://justnotsorry.com
hammock 4y ago
Don't use adverbs or adjectives at all unless necessary.

bspear 4y ago

True, I wonder if it's driven by people's need to over-express over the internet since there's no body language

paufernandez 4y ago
I think some people overexpress in general, regardless of the medium. I think it comes from an excess of "passion", which is like permanent exageration. I am prone to it, that's why I know, and I try to keep it under control.
- rayiner 4y ago
  > I think it comes from an excess of "passion", which is like permanent exageration. I am prone to it, that's why I know, and I try to keep it under control. We thank you. I suffer from the opposite problem—extremely deadpan personality. I insert exclamation points randomly in emails to seem human.

kranner 4y ago

I don't know; "absolutely" can add emphasis. Advising someone not to use it because "agree" covers it anyway feels like trying to suppress their personality. We're communicating, not playing language golf.

stackbutterflow 4y ago
I feel that it dilutes the meaning of whatever comes after. "I agree" conveys a stronger tone than "I absolutely agree". Same as "I love you" is more powerful than "I absolutely love you". I see it as a filler word that doesn't add anything to the sentence. It's subjective I know. Also I would add that if you "absolutely [verb]" all the time you might as well [verb].
hammock 4y ago
Unnecessary emphasis betrays insecurity on the part of the author.

kwyjibo1230 4y ago

I try to remove common enhancing adverbs when writing emails at work. Removing "very," "definitely," "absolutely," etc. makes professional communication come across more authoritatively and clearly. I still use adverbs to be clear, but they need to communicate something specific that is otherwise hard to articulate.

Flenser 4y ago
There's a Chrome Extension for Gmail and Outlook for web that helps you send more confident emails by warning you when you use words which undermine your message. https://justnotsorry.com https://justnotsorry.com

hammock 4y ago

Don't use adverbs or adjectives at all unless necessary.