Ignite Your Writing with Active Verbs

Whether you are an author, business owner, teacher, or even an accountant, the choice of verbs plays a pivotal role in shaping the tone and impact of your message.

I know, it has probably been awhile since you had to study verbs. Let me give you a quick reminder of the two basic verbs:

• Active Verbs: The subject of the sentence performs the action expressed by the verb.
  Example: “The cat (subject) chased (active verb) the mouse.

• Passive Verbs: The subject of the sentence receives the action, and the actual “doer” of the action might be mentioned with the preposition “by.”
  Example: “The mouse (subject) was chased (passive verb) by the cat.”

Why Should I Use Active Verbs?

Active verbs bring clarity and directness to your writing.

They clearly identify the doer of the action and the action itself, eliminating any ambiguity. For example, compare the sentences “The report was written by the team” (passive) and “The team wrote the report” (active). The active voice not only pinpoints the responsible party but also infuses energy into the sentence.

Active verbs paint vivid pictures in the minds of your readers.

When you describe actions using vibrant verbs, you create a more engaging and immersive experience. Consider the difference between “The flowers were picked by the gardener” and “The gardener plucked the vibrant flowers.” The latter not only conveys the action but also adds a visual and sensory dimension to the sentence.

Active verbs persuade and motivate your audience.

They inject energy and enthusiasm into your message, making it more persuasive and compelling. Compare “Changes will be implemented by the management” (passive) with “The management will implement changes” (active). The latter conveys a sense of decisiveness and proactiveness.

Active verbs contribute to concise and efficient writing.

They allow you to convey your message with fewer words, making your writing more impactful. Passive constructions often require more words to express the same idea. Choosing active verbs enables you to get straight to the point and maintain the reader’s attention.

Active verbs contribute to the dynamism of your communication.

Memorable writing often relies on the use of dynamic language. Readers are more likely to remember sentences that are infused with action and movement. Consider the impact of “The discovery was made by the scientist” versus “The scientist made a groundbreaking discovery.”

Active verbs bring clarity, engagement, energy, efficiency, and memorability to your writing. Whether you’re crafting a blog post, a business proposal, or a creative piece, harnessing the power of active verbs will create content that resonates with your audience. So, let your words come alive, and watch your writing transform into a vibrant and compelling masterpiece.