In "Troublesome Words," Bill Bryson discusses the overuse of the word "very" in English writing. He argues that this adverb often fails to enhance clarity or meaning in a sentence. For instance, phrases like "It was a very tragic death" do not provide any additional value, as the word 'tragic' already conveys strong emotions.

Additionally, Bryson suggests that "very" is sometimes used to support weak adjectives that could be replaced with stronger, more effective alternatives. For example, instead of saying "The play was very good," a writer might choose a descriptor like "excellent" or "outstanding," which would better convey their impression. This shift could lead to more impactful and vivid writing.