Final answer:
Rule 6 pertains to the use and moderation of adjectives and adverbs in English. Adverbs modify verbs, while adjectives modify nouns, and both should be used judiciously to strengthen prose. Effective writing balances descriptive elements with concise language to maintain clarity and interest.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding adjectives and adverbs is crucial for balancing sentences and making writing concise and powerful. An adverb modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, typically indicating how, when, where, or to what extent something is done. For example, in "Pierre quickly ran," the adverb "quickly" modifies the verb "ran." Conversely, an adjective modifies nouns, often describing their quantity, quality, size, or type, as in "an affordable car," where "affordable" modifies "car."
To enhance writing, use adjectives and adverbs effectively. Mark Twain's advice suggests moderation in using adjectives to avoid weakening your prose. When editing for conciseness, remove filler words and focus on concrete nouns and action verbs to retain meaning while achieving brevity. For example, "A bright light shone on the ocean waves" is a succinct version of a more wordy original sentence.
In the context of sentence patterns, particularly with the verb 'to be,' adverbs and adjectives serve as complements, providing additional information about the subject. In sentences like "The children are happy," "happy" is an adjective serving as a subject complement, describing the children.