Welcome to the Grammar Minute, where we're saving the English language sixty seconds at a time! I'm Lauren Smyth, and this is your regularly scheduled reminder to avoid the word "very."
"Very" is an adverb, meaning that it modifies either an adjective (which describes a noun) or another adverb (which describes how a verb, or action word, is performed). "Very" is an unusual adverb in that it only rarely describes a verb, or action. For example, you can't "very cook." The fact that this is an irregular adverb, since most adverbs describe verbs, is already a red flag. The other problem with "very" is that it's really just a cop-out. You could say someone "flees," but instead you say they "run very fast," which is boring and less descriptive.
There's a simple fix: Don't use the word "very." Ever. If you think you need it, you don't--you just need to pick a better adverb or adjective. There's no excuse or reason to use the word "very" in written English.
That's your Grammar Minute! Visit thegrammarminute.com for more very important tips and tricks.