CONTENTS FEATURE: How emphatic adverbs can imply anxiety GRAMMAR COACH: Fielding your questions FINDER'S FEE: Recommend a friend—and earn up to $500 FEATURE: How emphatic adverbs can imply a sense of anxiety      Most people appreciate and value hard work and devotion. But trying too hard sometimes can subtly create an impresson of uncertainty, insecurity or even desperation.      A woman did just that when she strode to a microphone on a stage and introduced herself as the director of the ensemble that was about to perform.      "Our dance troupe actually was formed two years ago," she said in her entreating address to the audience.      Actually was formed? She likely intended her emphasis on the adverb "actually" to assert the inveteracy of the dance troupe. Instead, she created the opposite effect. She may as well have told the audience that the troupe was only two years old. Her use of "actually" conveyed a sense that she was insecure, perhaps about the inexperience of the troupe. An unadorned simple statement—that the troupe was formed two years earlier—would have been preferable.      A school administrator who declared, "90 percent of the class of 2004 have successfully passed the English-Language section of that test" could benefit from some remedial time in class. The superfluous use of the adverb "successfully" seems like a desperate attempt to camouflage the failure of 10 percent of the school's senior class. The notion of "success" is inherent in the verb "passed," which would have sufficed alone.      Use of emphatic adverbs as reinforcing elements is common, but usually is unnecessary and often is inadvisable. Emphatic modifiers form figurative beads of sweat on your forehead that arouse suspicion.      "I will prove to you that my client is completely innocent of this crime," a lawyer told the jury in a courtroom. His vehemence conveyed a note of desperation. Innocence is not measured in degrees. A defendant is either innocent or not. Someone who is not "completely" innocent is complicit in guilt.      A report on a research paper published in a medical journal said, "This study clearly shows that drivers should not be using cell phones when driving." That statement would have been more emphatic without the word "clearly," which introduces a pleading air—almost like saying, "Really, you must believe me. That's what this report clearly shows, without question. No kidding. Honestly!"      A note on an Internet discussion group for teachers said, "Frankly, I'm tired of this constant battle between teachers." Because "frankly" means "in an open, honest, straightforward manner," the use of that term implicated the teacher's prior statements as insincere.      In a World Trade Organization seminar, an economist with the International Monetary Fund said, "The World Bank has also attached considerable importance to customs reform, and has been especially active in the support of large reform programs." The phrase "attached considerable importance" makes the statement appear tentative, even subtly patronizing. It's not vital; it's of "considerable importance."      If the economist had greater conviction, he might have said, "The World Bank views customs reform as essential, and aggressively supports large reform programs." The economist's restraint casts doubt on the importance of customs reform.      A tourist guide description of a cathedral in Dublin, Ireland, said, "This Anglican church was originally founded by Anglo-Norman conquerors in the late 12th century." Those Anglo-Norman conquerors were not only the "original" founders; they were the only founders. An institution, city or company can be founded only once, so the word "originally" is unnecessary. The statement that the church was founded by Anglo-Norman conquerors is credible without embellishment.      The statement by an art reviewer that "collectors would not be particularly attracted to this piece" was either a disingenuous attempt to be genteel or reveals the reviewer's uncertainty about the merits of the artwork. Elimination of the qualifying adverb "particularly" would produce a more honest, direct statement: "collectors would decline this piece."      A report on school accountability said, "Teachers and administrators stressed that teachers must have a firm commitment to bettering their students." The adjective "firm" did not strengthen the statement; it only revealed lack of understanding of the meaning of "commitment," which embodies a pledge or obligation. The writer was trying too hard to be persuasive.      "There's a definite sense that foreign governments, in particular, are becoming less willing to keep the dollar strong by buying lots of U.S. debt," a business analyst wrote in his newspaper column. "Meanwhile, the return of economic gravity poses a definite threat to U.S. economic growth." He twice resorted to use of the adjective "definite" to bolster his hedgy statements.      Rather than outright declaring that foreign governments now appear reluctant to help preserve the strength of the U.S. dollar, the business analyst spoke of a "sense" that is occurring. And without identifying who senses that trend, he tried to amplify that weak contention by declaring it a "definite sense." His repetition of "definite" in the phrase "poses a definite threat to U.S. economic growth" also is puzzling. A threat is either existent or nonexistent. The adjective does nothing but add wordiness while detracting from the writer's assertions by making him appear irresolute.      Use adverbs sparingly and wisely. If they're redundant—if they restate a quality inherent in the word you're thinking of modifying—set them aside. You may find that your statement retains power without them—and without breaking a sweat. GRAMMAR COACH: Fielding your questions 1. Sam wrote:      "I would like some help with the use of "information." As far as I know, it should always be treated as a singular noun. Also, isn't it incorrect to use "an," "some," "few," "each" or "every" before "information"?" The grammar coach replies:           You are correct that the noun "information" is singular. It requires particular treatment, however, because it represents a collective concept. A collective noun designates a grouping. Collective nouns include "audience," "committee," "family," "jury" and "team."      Information is a collection of data or facts. It is somewhat analogous to the word "knowledge," which also refers to a body of facts. Both of those terms refer to concepts rather than to tangible objects, just as the noun "music" does. "Music" serves as a good example to illustrate the syntax that such abstract collective terms require.      Adjectives (such as "few", "each" or "every") and articles ("a" or "an") cannot be used directly with such terms. No one would refer to "few music" or "each music" or "a music." A qualifying term, such as "a piece of music" or "a musical work" is required. Yet the use of certain adjectives can be used with "music"—for example, "some music" (as in "Mary listened to some music while she was cooking").      Likewise, you can refer to "some information," but not to "a few information," "each information," "every information" or "an information." Those adjectives require addition of a qualifying term—for example, "few items of information," "each piece of information," "every fragment of information" or "a body of information." 2. Ira Greene wrote:      "Help! Can you help erase the avalanche of 'guy' and 'guys' that floods ordinary American speech? I am so tired of walking into a restaurant with my wife and being addressed with: 'Would you guys like smoking or non-smoking?' I remember when 'those guys' was restricted to either people of low character or was used by men referring to their close colleagues in a military squad or team—and the latter was a rare use indeed. HELP!!!" The grammar coach replies:                The widespread use of "guys" in addressing the public reflects laziness and lack of gentility. Its use has proliferated so extensively that Merriam-Webster Online now regards it, in the plural, as a legitimate term for "the members of a group regardless of sex," citing the example "...saw her and the rest of the guys." The Cambridge Dictionary of American English, Webster's New World College Dictionary, the American Heritage Dictionary and the Compact Oxford English Dictionary still classify such use as informal, however.      Many people have become accustomed to being addressed as "guys," but others find it a mark of discourtesy. While "welcome, ladies and gentlemen" may be too stuffy for family eateries or retail stores, we think the warmer-sounding "welcome, folks" would be preferable to a far wider group of customers. Smart business owners should make the distinction and train their employees accordingly.      Are you perplexed by some aspect of grammar or word usage? Don't be shy! 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