Ditching Dead Verbs: A Guide to More Vibrant Writing
"Dead verbs" are verbs that lack specific action and make your writing sound bland and lifeless. Here's a breakdown of common dead verbs and their exciting alternatives:
1. "To be" Verbs (am, is, are, was, were, be, being, been):
* Replace with:
* Action Verbs: *walk, run, jump, shout, whisper, think, feel, etc.*
* Sensory Verbs: *see, hear, smell, taste, touch*
* Linking Verbs: *appear, become, seem, sound, feel, look, taste, smell*
* Phrasal Verbs: *come across, get along, look into, stand up for*
Example: "The house is beautiful" --> "The house gleams with beauty."
2. Overused Verbs:
* Replace with: More specific and evocative verbs
Examples:
* "Go": *stroll, dash, wander, trudge, saunter*
* "Get": *acquire, obtain, secure, receive, earn*
* "Make": *construct, create, build, fashion, compose*
* "Do": *perform, execute, accomplish, complete, achieve*
3. Passive Voice Verbs:
* Replace with: Active Voice Verbs
Example: "The ball was hit by the batter" --> "The batter hit the ball."
4. Clichéd Verbs:
* Replace with: Original and vivid verbs
Examples:
* "Look": *gaze, stare, peer, glance, survey*
* "Say": *whisper, murmur, declare, exclaim, pronounce*
* "Think": *ponder, contemplate, analyze, deduce, envision*
Tips for Finding the Right Replacement:
* Consider the context: What is happening in the scene? What feeling do you want to evoke?
* Use a thesaurus: Look for synonyms that are more descriptive and engaging.
* Experiment: Try different verbs and see which ones work best.
Remember:
* Strong verbs paint a vivid picture in the reader's mind.
* Avoid using too many adverbs to modify weak verbs. Instead, choose a stronger verb that already conveys the desired meaning.
By ditching dead verbs, you can elevate your writing and engage your readers with vibrant and impactful language.