Reading with an eye for verbs
Take the time to study a text you are reading with an eye for its verbs. Copy down examples of strong verbs as well as weak or overused verbs. For the weak ones, try to come up with better choices.
Question
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Some years ago a newspaper in San Francisco ran the headline “Giants Crush Cardinals, 3–1,” provoking the following friendly advice from John Updike about the art of sports-headline verbs: The correct verb, San Francisco, is whip. Notice the vigor, force, and scorn obtained. . . . [These examples] may prove helpful: 3–1—whip; 3–2—shade; 2–1—edge. 4–1 gets the coveted verb vanquish. Rule: Any three-run margin, provided the winning total does not exceed ten, may be described as a vanquishing. Take the time to study a newspaper with an eye for its verbs. Copy down several examples of strong verbs as well as a few examples of weak or overused verbs. For the weak ones, try to come up with better choices.
Thinking about your own use of verbs
Writing that relies too heavily on the verbs be, do, and have almost always bores readers. Look at something you’ve written recently to see whether you rely too heavily on these verbs, and revise accordingly.
Question
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Thinking about your own use of verbs Writing that relies too heavily on the verbs be, do, and have almost always bores readers. Look at something you’ve written recently to see whether you rely too heavily on these verbs, and revise accordingly.