Some verbs just get too much airtime. You know the ones: verbs such as \u2018get\u2019 and \u2018have\u2019 that, in the English language at least, seem to represent anything and everything. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are looking for ways to polish your writing \u2013 simultaneously being able to make your words more interesting but being clearer and more articulate \u2013 then substituting a few well-known verbs for alternatives can be an effective approach to make.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are 10 verbs that can easily be replaced by something a little bit more descriptive to give your writing an added depth and quality of communication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018Get\u2019 is one of those verbs in English that can seemingly represent anything. While in terms of spoken English that can be a fantastic flexibility, in written English is just seems a little bland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s not to say that there are times when \u2018get\u2019 is perfectly acceptable to use in written English, but why not try and replace it with some of these options, depending on the context:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
organize, purchase, avail, requisition, become<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
2) have<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
For \u2018get\u2019, read \u2018have\u2019. Stunningly flexible, but at the same time massively over-used. Be careful with context, but here are some nice alternatives:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
possess, experience, enjoy, own, manage<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n \n\n\n\n
3) say and tell<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
In creative writing, it is a good idea to avail of words known as \u2018reporting verbs\u2019. These verbs, for example \u2018say\u2019 or \u2018tell\u2019, are simply verbs that we used to report the words of others. However, unlike \u2018say\u2019 and \u2018tell\u2019, there are reporting verbs that can also articulate much more about the tone of voice and the feeling of the speaker. These options are therefore much more descriptive by far: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
shout, yell, whisper, schmooze, prattle, garble<\/strong><\/p><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
4) walk<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Likewise, \u2018walk\u2019 is a very literal word, so doesn\u2019t give you much detail about how the movement was achieved. These words can visually stir up something much more interesting and closer to the way the movement was performed:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
skip, gallop, stroll, wander, stride, amble, saunter<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
5) eat<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\u2018Eat\u2019 is a very methodical word. We all \u2018eat\u2019, but that doesn\u2019t really do justice to the way some people perform this action. Some consume their food delicately, while others are like a hungry wolf. In short, get more descriptive about this otherwise boring action with some of these alternatives:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
gobble down, chomp, gulp, crunch, devour <\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
6) look<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Continuing on the theme of mechanical verbs that don\u2019t communicate much at all other than the literal action, look is as boring as it gets. When someone looks at you, they do it in any number of ways: think about the first time you looked into the eyes of that special someone. Look? It just doesn\u2019t do it justice, does it? Here are some alternatives:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Peer, gaze, gawp, stare, inspect, consider<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
7) win<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Winning can be achieved in so many different ways, and the margin of the victory can be incredibly close, or not. That\u2019s why win really doesn\u2019t cover the actual manner of the victory. Here are some other words that can do that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Conquer, destroy, upset, overwhelm, overcome<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
8) think<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Think is a really generic verb that doesn\u2019t capture the essence of how something can fill your mind for large parts of the day, or simply be something that stays and goes quicker than you sometimes even realize. These words are much better:<\/p>\n\n\n\n