{"id":89,"date":"2024-05-28T23:28:27","date_gmt":"2024-05-28T23:28:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/karenmariepalmer.com\/theroughwritersguide\/chapter\/using-strong-verbs\/"},"modified":"2024-05-28T23:29:24","modified_gmt":"2024-05-28T23:29:24","slug":"using-strong-verbs","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/karenmariepalmer.com\/theroughwritersguide\/chapter\/using-strong-verbs\/","title":{"raw":"Using Strong Verbs","rendered":"Using Strong Verbs"},"content":{"raw":"\nWhen revising your paper, one thing to look for is your verb use. Using wimpy verbs can make your writing appear uninteresting and lackluster. However, using strong verbs livens up your writing and keeps readers interested. In each of the sections below, we identify some ideas for strengthening your verbs. You can use the Find feature in Word to search for each of these types of weak verbs and determine how you might make revisions that will make your writing more interesting.\n\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/qkCLd-WEXMc\n\nVideo licensed Creative Commons license.<\/a><\/em>\n

Avoid \"State of Being\" Verbs<\/h1>\nRead through your paper and look for any forms of the verbs be, do, and have.\n
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\n\nam, is, are, was, were, be, being, been\n\ndo, does, did, doing, done\n\nhave, has, had, having\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nThese are verbs that reflect a state of being, rather than action. To spice up your writing, try to change at least some of those 'state of being' verbs to more active options. =\n
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\n\nExample:\n\nHe had a lot of clothes.\n\nHis clothes overflowed his closets.\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nNotice that when we eliminate the state of being verb, the sentence gets much more interesting!\n

Avoid Verbs Followed by an Adverb<\/h1>\nLook for any places in your writing where a verb is followed by an adverb.\n
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\n\nShe walked slowly.\n\nHe ate quickly.\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nReplace these pairs of verbs and adverbs with a stronger verb that conveys the feeling of the adverb. <\/span>\n
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\n\nShe dragged her feet.\n\nHe gulped his food.\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Use Active Voice<\/h1>\n
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Two sentences can generally say the same thing but leave an entirely different impression based on the verb choices. For example, which of the following sentences gives you the most vivid mental picture?<\/p>\n\n

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A bald eagle was overhead and now is low in the sky near me.<\/p>\n

OR<\/p>\n

A bald eagle soared overhead and then dove low, seemingly coming right at me.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Even though the passive voice might include an action verb, the strength of the action verb is lessened by the structure of the sentence. Also, the passive voice tends to create unnecessary wordiness.<\/p>\n\n

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Exercise 1<\/p>\n\n<\/header>\n

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Read the following sentences and think of a way to reword each using an action verb in active voice.<\/p>\n

1. Original: The zebras were fed by the zoo workers. (eight words)<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Original: Water was spewed in the air by the elephant. (nine words)<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Original: The home of the hippopotamus was cleaned up and made tidy by Hank the Hippo Man. (sixteen words)<\/span><\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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When to Use Passive Voice<\/h2>\n

Sometimes passive voice actually is the best option. The point is to only use passive voice when you consciously decide to do so. There are several different situations where the passive voice is more useful than the active voice.<\/p>\n\n