When we want to convey our thoughts we use words. And when we need to describe something in graphic details we depend on adjectives, adverbs and verbs. These three words are like colour pencils. Each one of them adds a new dimension to the beauty and meaning of the word picture we want to draw. And each of these words is essential for expressing a clear and vivid description and helps form a bridge between the writer or the speaker and his reader or his audience.

Let us now study the role of each of these words in the example that follows

“Rarest of the apes, wild orangutans are restricted to the mountain ranges of the islands of Borneo and Sumatra. It has long been illegal in Indonesia and Malaysia to own, kill or export them. However, until recently the laws were not strictly enforced.”

In the sample passage there are three adjectives — rarest, wild, illegal; three adverbs — long, recently, strictly; and five verbs - restricted, own, kill, export, enforced. In the passage that comprises 43 words, there are in all 11 descriptive words, which means almost one-fourth of the total contents.

The adjective 'rarest' tells us that the orangutans are an endangered species; 'wild' informs us that we are talking only of the orangutans that live in the wilderness; 'illegal' tells us that it is against the law to disturb the population of the orangutans in their wild habitats in Malaysia and Indonesia.

Moving on to the adverbs, we find that while 'long' and 'recently' give us a clear picture of the time period in each situation, the adverb 'strictly' throws some light on the manner the law is supposed to be followed in order to stop the wrong practices against the endangered orangutans.

The five verbs play their role of making the word picture clearer by telling us of the actions and the different manners in which they take place. We come to know that the orangutans are not found in any other part of either Indonesia or Malaysia, but as the verb clearly puts it, are 'restricted' to the mountain ranges of Borneo and Sumatra. Then the verbs 'own', 'kill' and 'export' serve the purpose of explaining the dictates of the law very clearly, accurately and precisely.

The present discussion on words that help describe situations, people or places is meant to correct the general impression that adjectives are the only descriptive words in English language.

Another look at the above passage tells us that a good piece of writing is created only when we use our descriptive words — adjectives, adverbs, verbs — with the greatest of care and focus. Adding too many of these words, regardless of suitability to the purpose in hand, would only lead to a creation of confusing images rather than clear ones in the mind of the reader or listener.

On the other hand, you should make sure that what you say or write has substance and carries weight. This is possible only when you make a conscious effort to include all the three types of descriptive words, we have just discussed, in your everyday rejoinders in written or spoken language.

Finally, just read the two specimens written on the same subject, more or less communicating the same information. Then form your own judgement as to which one of the two gives you a more effective and clear image of the situation that is described. “Little Humzah's face lit up with a wide smile. Then he gurgled and laughed outright. He toddled towards the open ground and picked up the ball gingerly, as it came rolling in his direction.”

“Humzah began to laugh. He went towards the ball and picked it up as soon as it reached him.”

I hope I leave you the wiser on the use of descriptive words in all your written and spoken assignments.