Final answer:
The benefit of using adjectival and adverbial phrases is to add detail and interest without overwhelming the core subjects and verbs, which should remain the focus of any sentence. Too many modifiers can lead to wordiness and dilute the message.
Step-by-step explanation:
The benefit of using adjectival and adverbial phrases in our writing is that they add color, interest, and detail to the narrative. Adjectives and adverbs serve as modifiers providing additional information about subjects and actions, enriching the reader's experience. They should be used with discretion to avoid wordiness, ensuring that the writing stays concise and impactful. Adjectives describe or modify nouns and can be accentuated with qualifiers or comparative words, forming adjective phrases. Adverbs modify verbs, giving more context to actions, and often end in -ly; these also form adverb phrases. Too many adjectives and adverbs, however, can dilute the importance of the main subjects and verbs, which are the core components readers rely on.
For example:
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- I need to find an affordable car. - 'Affordable' modifies 'car'.
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- Pierre quickly ran through the main points of his argument. - 'Quickly' modifies 'ran'.
Striking the right balance is essential in writing to maintain reader interest and provide clarity without detracting from the main point. Therefore, one should eliminate wordiness while editing, choosing nouns and verbs that stand strong on their own and using modifiers only when they add significant value to the narrative. Ultimately, adjectives and adverbs should be used to enhance writing, not overshadow the primary message carried by the subjects and verbs.