verbs, verb forms, passive
constructions, passive voice, active voice, word usage, synonyms, writer’s
tools
Compare the following two sentences:
Passive
verbs are viewed with disfavor by writing teachers and
computerized grammar checkers.
Writing
teachers and computerized grammar checkers hate passive verbs.
Good writing is lively. It uses strong verbs.
Good writing “shows”. It doesn’t just “tell”.
Good writing burns a vivid image into a reader’s mind. It doesn’t leave “blanks” or vague impressions.
Morning
was the time she loved the best.
Above all,
she adored mornings.
Notice that the first sentences in the sentence pairs above used “are”
and “was”, forms of the verb “to be”.
People who call themselves experts on writing urge students to avoid
using verbs combined with “is”, “are”, “were”, “was”, etc. etc. as much as
possible.
Of course, you will not be able to completely avoid using these
constructions. But the people who grade GED essays may well be prejudiced
against essays that use too many sentences based on the verb “to be”.
Which sentences in the following groups do you prefer?
We were
told by our teacher that we could be successful.
Our
teacher told us we could be successful.
Our
teacher informed us we could be successful
Our
teacher believed in our future success.
Because of
the heat, we were tired and lazy.
The heat
made us tired and lazy.
The heat
slowly destroyed our energy and ambition.
Rewrite the following sentences using active verbs.
Our hopes were dashed by her cruel words.
Her
cruel words dashed our hopes.
The beautiful
movie star was followed by photographers.
The big fish
was never caught by the old man.
Captain Ahab
was finally killed by the great white whale.
Verbs are either action words or being words. It is impossible to completely avoid using being verbs, but “experts on writing” claim that using too many “being” verbs make writing duller and harder to read. Also, some action verbs are more active and interesting than others.
Use a thesaurus if you need help adding to the following table of
synonyms. (These are all verbs or verb
constructions.)
|
Instead of |
Consider using |
|
fought |
battled, warred, attacked, clashed,
struggled, brawled |
|
love |
adore, worship, desire, care for |
|
watch |
stare, monitor, spy upon, scrutinize,
examine |
|
fell |
|
|
walked |
|
|
hid |
|
|
caught |
|
|
talked |
|
|
left |
|
|
gave |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rewrite the following sentences using active verbs.
The room was filled with golden sunlight
Golden
sunlight filled the room.
Children are given guidance and discipline by their
parents.
The little church is loved by every villager.
This book has been read by every college student.
That was a job nobody wanted.
Her words were trusted by everyone.