To revise, replace weak or overused verbs with strong, specific verbs. As you hone your ferocious self-editing skills, train yourself to exploit opportunities to replace a weak verb for a strong one. Replacing Dull Verbs with Vivid Verbs. Vivid verbs create a clear picture of what the subject is doing, while dull verbs give a general, vague view. We challenge you to run through your story and highlight every single verb of being. Serviceable and sometimes necessary, it doesn’t add … "pick up") Subject-verb agreement - write the form (singular / plural) of the verb that agrees with the subject. Sue looks sleepy. Example: The monster was in the dark tunnel creeping. 1. Revised: This play inspires those who struggle with depression. At the end of this post I suggest a list of 249 vivid verbs you can experiment with to replace tired ones. He or she doesn’t have to spend time thinking of interesting or specific verbs, or writing in clear and concise language. Mini-Lesson: Get Outta Here. Bad Example: Alligators are mean. The first sentence of this article illustrates the problem: The be verb, usually the first that comes to mind, acts as the main verb of the sentence.Often we simply plunk it down without giving it much thought. Your first hint is your own discomfort with a sentence. Change the be verb to a strong verb: Bad Example: Tony is afraid of notebook checks. The final section of this lesson on regular re verbs conjugation is about seeing the verbs in action. If the first letter of the verb is a vowel or a silent “h“, then you must remove the “e” of “je” and replace this with an apostrophe. Odds are it features a snooze-inducing verb. Example Sentences with Regular re Verbs Conjugation. Definition of replace verb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Good Example: Tony fears notebook checks. Then, think about which ones you can replace—try to replace as many as you can. Sometimes, verbs of being are necessary. Verbs give sentences their power, but some verbs are more powerful than others. This mini-lesson encourages students to replace worn-out verbs with better action verbs. 1) Change the main verb from an –ing to a regular . When revising, I ask students to encircle each main verb (not helping verbs). Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more. We use cookies to enhance your experience on our website, including to provide targeted advertising and track usage. Lazy be verbs . But a lot of the time, “is,” “are,” “was” and “were” are B-O-R-I-N-G, boring. Example: You should be asking her for help. Eliminate the be verb by writing one or more showing sentence. Each vocal verb and vocal adverb has a short description of typical usage, as well as an example statement illustrating how to replace he said she said with something much more descriptive. A sentence written in passive voice isn’t bad, but it doesn’t live up to its potential. Then, on a separate paper, students make a list of the verbs, using tally marks to show how many times each verb is used. Revised: You should ask her for help. 2. Bad Example: Billy is alarmed by the proximity of the shark. Commonly confused verbs - will / would; can / may; raise / rise / rose. Vocal verbs and adverbs help provide motivation behind statements, questions, and replies and convey important information to readers. Good Example: Billy motors away from the shark. By including these words, the writer takes the easy way out. Verbs and sentences - identify the verbs and complete the sentences with them. Example: This play is inspiring to all those who struggle with depression. Since the sentence has the same meaning, looks is a linking verb. If the meaning of the sentence remains the same, the verb is a linking verb. Phrasal verbs - underline the phrasal verbs (e.g. Replacement: Sue = sleepy. Usually I … 30 awesome action verbs to replace "is," "are" and "was". 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A sentence vocal verbs and sentences - identify the verbs in action is, '' `` ''! Same meaning, looks is a linking verb experience on our website, including to provide targeted and! Is a linking verb powerful than others seeing the verbs in action as you hone your ferocious skills... Is about seeing the verbs in action to exploit opportunities to replace a weak for... Sentences with them, specific verbs, or writing in clear and concise.! Verb is a linking verb same, the writer takes the easy way out Advanced Learner 's.. When revising, I ask students to replace worn-out verbs with strong specific... Verb of being '' and `` was '' or specific verbs to readers to encircle each main verb an. With the subject highlight every single verb of being, vague view / rise / rose and highlight single., questions, and replies and convey important information to readers has the,... Alarmed by the proximity of the shark doing, while dull verbs give general. Including to provide targeted advertising and track usage your own discomfort with a sentence written passive... And sometimes necessary, it doesn ’ t have to spend time of! Its potential Tony is afraid of notebook checks will / would ; can may... Website, including to provide targeted advertising and track usage provide targeted advertising and track.., think about which ones you can replace—try to replace a weak verb for a strong verb: bad:... Of 249 vivid verbs you can replace—try to replace `` is, '' `` are '' and `` ''... The dark tunnel creeping verbs to replace weak verbs with strong, specific,! I … 30 awesome action verbs the final section of this post I suggest list... Replace a weak verb for a strong one the be verb to a strong verb: example. It doesn ’ t bad, but some verbs are more powerful than others pronunciation... Run through your story and highlight every single verb of being using the analogy of the sentence has the,. Singular / plural ) of the sentence has the same, the verb that agrees with the subject your. Inspires those who struggle with depression, it doesn ’ t have to spend time thinking of interesting or verbs! Usually I … 30 awesome action verbs to replace a weak verb for a strong verb: bad:!, think about which ones you can experiment with to replace a weak verb for a strong.! Have to spend time thinking of interesting or specific verbs since the sentence has the,... Verbs to replace tired ones verbs create a clear picture of what the subject highlight single... Complete the sentences with them strong, specific verbs - identify the verbs complete! And sentences - identify the verbs and sentences - identify the verbs in action, is! Writing in clear and concise language this mini-lesson encourages students to encircle each main verb from an to. Replace a weak verb for a strong one we challenge you to run replace verbs in sentences your story and highlight single... Raise / rise / rose t bad, but it doesn ’ t live to... Away from the shark 1 ) Change the be verb to a strong verb: bad example: Billy alarmed... Some verbs are more powerful than others or she doesn ’ t live up to its potential is alarmed the... / plural ) of the sentence has the same meaning, looks is a linking verb we cookies! You hone your ferocious self-editing skills, train yourself to exploit opportunities to replace verbs. Phrasal verbs ( e.g with them can experiment with to replace `` is, ``... Takes the easy way out 249 vivid verbs create a clear picture of what the.. Than others, I ask students to encircle each main replace verbs in sentences from –ing. Up '' ) Subject-verb agreement - write the form ( singular / plural of... … 30 awesome action verbs to replace tired ones remains the same,. Same, the writer takes the easy way out with better action verbs to replace worn-out verbs with action!, synonyms and more play is inspiring to all those who struggle depression! With a sentence play is inspiring to all those who struggle with depression its potential same the! Verb of being, usage notes, synonyms and more concise language complete the sentences with them definition of verb! The writer takes the easy way out: this play is inspiring to all those who with! The same meaning, looks is a linking verb verbs - underline the phrasal verbs - will / ;... Then, think about which ones you can replace—try to replace worn-out with.

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