- Try to avoid using simple general words to describe someone's character. For example, instead of saying that someone is 'kind', there are many other words that you can use, such as considerate, generous, or sympathetic.
- It's good to give a real example of an occasion that shows that what you are saying is true.For example, instead of just saying that someone is helpful, you could say:
Sue is very kind and helpful. When I first started college she made me feel at
home and showed me where everything was.
home and showed me where everything was.
- Don't say things like 'Her character is very nice.' Say:
- She's a very nice person. or She's very nice.
- People often also say that someone is a particular sort/kind of person, for example:
He always seems such a happy sort of person.
- If you want to say that someone does something often, and this is an important part of their character, you can say that they are always doing something. For example:
He's always complaining.
Margaret's very considerate -
she's always helping people.
Margaret's very considerate -
she's always helping people.
- If you want to say that someone sometimes behaves in a particular way, you use 'tend to be" or 'can be', especially when talking about negative qualities:
She tends to be rather impatient.
He can be very moody at times.
He can be very moody at times.
- If you want to say something negative about someone, you often use 'not very':
He’s not very sympathetic. (=he’s unsympathetic)
She's not very decisive. (=she's indecisive)
(Source: Longman Writing Coach 2005)
