Transcript Strong vs. Weak Verbs

Strong vs. Weak Verbs
Created by Kathryn Reilly
Strong vs. Weak Verbs
Strong Verbs…
• Create a clear image
Weak Verbs…
• Create a fuzzy image
• Convey a degree of meaning
• Convey a muddled meaning
• Are preferred by readers
• May confuse readers
Weak Verbs
• A weak verb fails to convey a clear image.
– Robert said “Hello”.
• How did Robert say hello?
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Yelled
Shouted
Whispered
Sang
Laughed
Stuttered
Strong
Verb
Examples
Linking Verbs are Weak Verbs
• Linking verbs do not show action
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Is
Are
Was
Were
Be
Being
been
Weak Verb Example
• Mary is happy.
– Is exists as a weak verb.
– Is does not create a clear picture for the reader.
Possible Strong Verb Rewrites:
Happiness surrounds Mary.
Mary glowed with happiness.
Strong Verbs
• Strong verbs create a clear image
– Julio hurled the javalin.
• Hurled conveys an image of strength.
– Fear consumed Jennifer.
• Consumed suggests that Jennifer can’t escape the fear.
– The fox howled in pain.
• Howled suggests the fox is in great pain.
Using Strong Verbs
• First, identify weak verbs.
• Second, ask the weak verb “How?”
– Example: Teresa walked to the store.
• Ask: How did Teresa walk?
• Third, rewrite the sentence with a strong verb
– Possible Rewrites:
• Teresa ambled to the store.
• Teresa skipped to the store.
• Teresa limped to the store.