You learned a skill in elementary school that can make your content stand out today.
Verbs can make all the difference in your sentences.
This lesson learned in elementary school will make your content stand out in the spread of boring, weak and ineffective language. By eliminating those wasted, weak verbs, your content will have greater impact and engage your audience better.
Study these four tips and the associated before and after examples to get ideas on how to incorporate powerful verbs into your texts. The “before” excerpts are from paragraphs in writing advice articles I found online and from my work. (I love irony.)
Ditch wasted, weak verbs in favor of active verbs that have a bigger impact on your #content, says @AnnGynn via @CMIContent. #Writingtips Click to tweet
1. Know the subject of an active verb
Passive verbs work best when the subject of an action is unknown, explains the Guide to Grammar and Writing. Example: “The cyclist was injured in a hit-and-run accident.” Since the driver (ie, the subject) is unknown, this sentence could not work in the active voice.
But many authors weaken their sentences by using passive verb forms too often. Passive voice produces rudderless sentences. Active verbs, on the other hand, create visual elements, arouse emotions, and motivate the reader.
Consider this example of a verb transformation. The passive version: “Jane is a shining example of why you should study hard.” Now the active version: “Jane shines as an example of why you should study hard.”
2. Shift verbs into the open
The US government operates a website dedicated to effective writing. Hidden verbs are on the non-use checklist: “A hidden verb (or nominalization) is a verb that is turned into a noun. An additional verb is often required to make sense. For example, “Please apply for a personal loan” is longer and less clear than “Please apply for a personal loan.”
The Writing Cooperative notes that hidden verbs usually end in -tion, -sion, -ment, -ance, and -al. It shares this example:
- Before: We will do a demonstration of the process
- After: We demonstrate the process.
Stop using hidden verbs. They often end in -tion, -sion, -ment, -ance and -al.
3. Minimize the number of connections
Linking verbs – usually forms of “to be” – connect the subject to the subject or adjective complement (a descriptor of the subject). Think of forms like “am”, “is”, “are”, “was”, “who”, “sein”, “be” and “sein”. Scribbr notes linking verbs can also include the senses, such as taste, sound, smell, touch, and sight.
Here’s an example of a linking verb: “The cat is sleeping.”
Now change this shortcut to an active verb: “The cat is sleeping.”
Here’s an example from Syntaxis: “Laquita is a bad sport.”
But with the connecting verbs removed and an action inserted: “Laquita lost the game and threw the chessboard.”
Omitting linking verbs allows authors to better illustrate what is happening, since they require more explanation.
4. Stop hesitating and hesitating
Don’t use unnecessary hedging verbs or phrases. let me explain.
The Cambridge Dictionary states that hedges “soften what we say or write… They make what we say less direct.”
You may need to hedge because you are unsure of what you are saying or want to tone down your language to have the desired effect on the reader or listener.
People sometimes use “I feel” or “we think” as a prelude to a statement to soften the statement. For example: “I think you should consider increasing your video production because research shows that audiences prefer this format.”
Instead, use direct language: “Upscale your video production because research shows audiences prefer this format.”
Revised examples for better verbing
I’ve found many examples of bad verb usage in articles that purport to teach writing skills. I was going to add each one to the appropriate tip above, but I found that most of them committed two or more Verb Sins.
In this one from MasterClass, I eliminate the passive voice and the hedge language.
As published: “There are certain elements that any good writing style should have, such as simple words, short sentences, and direct language that draws the reader in. While you want to maintain your unique tone, there are ways to improve your style by more deliberately arranging your words and shaping your story.”
Verb-Focused Editing: “Any good style of writing should engage the reader with certain elements, such as simple words, short sentences, and direct language. To maintain your unique tone and improve your style, you should organize your words more consciously and shape your story.”
In this example from Grammarly, I remove an unnecessary gerund and eliminate the passive voice.
As published: “Effective book analysis is more than just sharing your opinion; It’s about interacting with the text and showing that you’ve read it critically and formed an informed opinion about it.”
Verb-Focused Editing: “With effective book analysis, you share more than just your opinion. It interacts with the text and shows your critical reading and strong opinion of the material.”
In this passage from MasterClass I switch the less powerful passive and remove the hidden verb.
As published: “Short sentences are easier to understand, which readers appreciate. Don’t try to cram too much into one line.”
Verb-Focused Editing: “Readers value short sentences because they are easier to understand. Avoid cramming too much into one line.”
In this CMI article, I originally used passive words. Check out the verb-focused edit to see how I could have written it better.
As published: “I’m not that interested in cranberries in January, February, March, etc., so the content isn’t that relevant.”
Verb-Focused Editing: “In January, February, March, etc. I don’t care that much about cranberries anymore. The relevance of the content also decreases.”
You can’t miss bad verb choices once you start searching. Check out the surprising examples @AnnGynn found in #content giving good writing advice via @CMIContent. #Writingtips Click to tweet
Include verbs in an action plan
Practice verb-centric editing to add impact to your content.
Try this: In the next three parts you work through, devote one round solely to checking verbs. If you do it a few times, your verb use (writing and editing) will improve. Ultimately, you don’t need a separate verb-centric round of editing.
Updated from a September 2021 post.
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Cover photo by Joseph Kalinowski/Content Marketing Institute
