Action
Verbs
Action Verbs are “in-the-moment”
words that move a story forward. As writers, we want our reader’s eyes to keep
scanning the page, not to stop on a term, word or lack luster phrase.
Mark Twain was once quoted for saying: “When in
doubt, strike it out.”
An Action Verb
describes the action taking place in the story by using immediate words such as run,
walk, do, smile, drive, jump.
Here’s an example of a passive word choice opposed to an action verb.
Before: She was running…
Action: She ran …
Before: She was talking about …
Action: She told…
Before: The group was beginning to come toward the table…
Action: The group sat at the table …
Here
are some examples of Passive words versus Powerful terms:
Powerful Passive
|
Is |
Am |
|
Does |
Did |
|
Are |
Was |
|
Be |
Were |
|
Being |
Been |
|
Should |
Would |
|
Have |
Has |
|
Can |
Could |
|
Must |
Might |
Here's a list of Action verbs (or strong,
powerful, and descriptive words):
Charge
Shoot
Plunge
Hurl
Fling
Lob
Carve
Forge
Force
And, if you need more examples of stronger word choices:
INSTEAD OF: USE
THIS:
Increased Advanced
Helped Strengthened
Started Launched
Found Discovered
Last, but not least, here is a short list of
strong action verbs to use in your writing:
Advance . . . your story
Advise
Alter
Amend
Amplify
Attack
Balloon
Bash
Batter
Beam
Blab
Blast
Bolt
Boost
Brood
Burst
Bust
Cackle
Capture
Catch
Charge
Chip
Clasp
Climb
Clutch
Collide
Command
Cower
Crash
Crave
Crush
Dangle
Dash
Demolish
Depart
Deposit
Detect
Deviate
Devour
Discover
Dismantle
Drag
Drain
Drip
Drop
Engage
Engulf
Enlarge
Ensnare
Erase
Expand
Explode
Explore
Expose
Extend
Extract
Fight
Fish
Fling
Fly
Frown
Fuse
Garble
Gaze
Glare
Gleam
Glisten
Glitter
Gobble
Govern
Grasp
Gravitate
Grip
Groan
Grope
Growl
Guide
Gush
Hack
Hail
Heighten
Hobble
Hover
Ignite
Illuminate
Inspect
Instruct
Impart
Jostle
Launch
Lead
Leap
Locate
Lurch
Lurk
Mimic
Moan
Multiply
Muse
Mushroom
Mystify
Notify
Obtain
Oppress
Order
Paint
Park
Peck
Peek
Peer
Pilot
Poison
Pop
Power
Prick
Probe
Prune
Recite
Recoil
Remove
Report
Retreat
Reveal
Reverberate
Revolve
Rip
Rise
Ruin
Rush
Rust
Saunter
Scamper
Scan
Scorch
Scrape
Scratch
Scrawl
Seize
Serve
Shatter
Shepherd
Shimmer
Shine
Shock
Shrivel
Sizzle
Skip
Skulk
Slash
Slide
Slink
Slip
Slump
Slurp
Smash
Snag
Snarl
Sneak
Soar
Stare
Starve
Steal
Steer
Storm
Strain
Stretch
Strip
Stroll
Struggle
Stumble
Surge
Survey
Swell
Swipe
Swoon
Tail
Tattle
Toddle
Transfigure
Transform
Travel
Treat
Trim
Trip
Trudge
Tussle
Untangle
Unveil
Usher
Veil
Wail
Weave
Wreck
Wrench
Wrest
Wrestle
Wring
Yank
Zap
Zing
Zip
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