Advertisement Continue reading the main storyThe most abstract are the earliest, and Austen’s novels, published from 1811 to 1818, fit right in. But what about the top, where Austen is nearly alone, with “Diary of a Nobody” (1892) and “New Grub Street” (1891)? Another study analyzed words in Austen’s novels, comparing them with a collection of contemporary British fiction, and of British fiction from 1780 to 1820. Austen used intensifying words — like very, much, so — at a higher rate than other writers. Austen was also a heavy user of words like could and must: those indicating likelihood, ability, permission and obligation.

Source: New York Times July 06, 2017 18:56 UTC