Remove unnecessary adverbs (EK00006)
Cutting manner adverbs that add little meaning keeps your documentation direct and precise. Learn why to remove them, with examples.
Manner adverbs — often words ending in “-ly” — add little meaning to a sentence, and cutting them leaves a claim that is direct and verifiable. EkLine flags these adverbs (rule EK00006) and suggests removing them.
Why remove unnecessary adverbs in documentation?
Section titled “Why remove unnecessary adverbs in documentation?”Adverbs like carefully or quietly describe how an action happens without telling the reader anything they can act on. In technical writing, they pad sentences and imply a judgment the reader can’t measure. Removing them shortens instructions and keeps the focus on what to do.
What EkLine flags
Section titled “What EkLine flags”EK00006 flags a manner adverb from a fixed list that adds little meaning to the sentence.
- ❌ Incorrect: Carefully review the settings.
- ✅ Correct: Review the settings.
- ❌ Incorrect: The service quietly restarts.
- ✅ Correct: The service restarts.
How to fix
Section titled “How to fix”Delete the adverb, or replace it with a specific detail that tells the reader what to expect.
Which adverbs does this rule target?
Section titled “Which adverbs does this rule target?”It targets manner adverbs — often words ending in “-ly,” such as carefully or quietly — that describe how an action happens without telling the reader anything they can act on.
What should you write instead of a manner adverb?
Section titled “What should you write instead of a manner adverb?”Delete the adverb, or replace it with a specific detail that tells the reader what to expect.
Rule details
Section titled “Rule details”| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Rule ID | EK00006 |
| Category | Sentences and phrases |
| Default severity | Suggestion |
| Enabled by default | Yes |
Ignore this rule
Section titled “Ignore this rule”To keep a flagged adverb on one line, add an inline comment with a reason:
<!-- ekline-ignore-next-line EK00006 -- adverb is load-bearing here -->Carefully remove the production database backup.To disable the rule across your project, add it to the ignore list in your configuration file.