Consider these two sentences: "Fatima was in the chair and looked happy when there was music around her." "Fatima perched on the chair and smiled as she listened to the music." The second sentence is a more vivid and precise description, thanks to the use of action verbs. Action verbs play a crucial role in conveying the actions of a subject.
An action verb, also known as a dynamic verb, expresses an action in a sentence. Its purpose is to tell us what the subject is doing.
Action verbs are prevalent in both speech and writing. Take a moment to think of some verbs - most of them are likely action verbs! Here are some common examples in the English language: jump, sit, eat, remove, laugh, run, accept, smile, stand, adjust, own, decline, love, sleep, yell, clean, catch.
To identify an action verb in a sentence, simply ask, "What does the subject do?" For instance, in the sentence "Henry paints a picture," what does Henry do? He paints.
It is crucial to understand the difference between action verbs and linking verbs.
A linking verb, also known as a copular verb, does not express an action but rather a state of being in a sentence. It connects the subject with the rest of the sentence and shows what the subject is instead of what it does. Some examples of linking verbs include: is, seems, appears, becomes, remains, etc.
Linking verbs are essential in language, particularly in descriptive writing. However, it is recommended to use action verbs whenever possible to infuse more vigor and specificity into your writing.
Types of Action Verbs
There are two main types of action verbs: transitive and intransitive.
Transitive action verbs require an object. In other words, something is doing the action and something else is being acted upon. These verbs have two arguments: a subject and an object. Examples include: paint, decline, accept, love, etc.
For instance, in the sentence "Henry paints a picture," "Henry" is the subject, "paints" is the action verb, and "a picture" is the object being painted. In the sentence "The duchess declined the invitation," "the duchess" is the subject, "declined" is the action verb, and "the invitation" is the object being declined.
Intransitive action verbs do not require an object. Here, something is doing the action, but nothing is being acted upon. These verbs have one argument. Examples include: laugh, sleep, run, etc.
For instance, in the sentence "Caroline laughed," "Caroline" is the subject, and "laughed" is the intransitive action verb. It cannot take an object, as "Caroline laughed the movie" would not make sense.
Some verbs can function as both transitive and intransitive, depending on how they are used. For example, "Doug cleaned" has no object, while "Doug cleaned the kitchen" has an object. It is essential to understand that transitivity is determined by the usage of the verb, not the verb itself.
When writing descriptively, it is advisable to replace linking verbs with action verbs for a more vivid and detailed description. Here are some tips for effectively incorporating action verbs into your writing:
Using more action verbs does not necessarily mean rewriting your entire paragraph. Small changes in verb usage can make a significant impact. Begin by identifying and replacing linking verbs in your sentences.
To make the most of action verbs, Lingfrog.blog author Abigail Amick suggests making minor modifications to your verbs instead of rewriting entire sentences. This can make a remarkable difference in your writing, resulting in more clarity and specificity.
Linking verbs act as connectors between the subject of a sentence and a descriptive state or quality. These are often forms of the verb "to be" (like "is," "are," and "was") or verbs that convey a perception or sensation (such as "seems," "looks," and "feels").
Take for example the sentence "Shawna appeared tired as she stood in the kitchen after spending time in the garden." In this sentence, "appeared," "stood," and "spending" are all linking verbs that express a state rather than an action.
Switching out linking verbs with more vivid and specific action verbs can make your writing more dynamic and engaging. As you read a sentence, ask yourself "what is the subject doing?" to identify suitable action verbs.
For instance, in the sentence "Shawna appeared tired as she stood in the kitchen after spending time in the garden," we can replace the linking verbs with action verbs to create a more vivid image: "Shawna yawned while brewing a cup of tea after planting seeds in the garden." This alteration adds more detail and action to the sentence.
Don't be afraid to use your imagination and think about the potential actions taking place in a sentence. This can help you come up with dynamic and captivating verbs to replace mundane linking verbs.
Using action verbs not only adds excitement to your writing, but it also helps with precision and detail. This is especially beneficial in descriptive writing, but also comes in handy when crafting resumes and cover letters for job applications.
Furthermore, understanding the distinction between linking verbs and action verbs can improve your writing abilities and make you a stronger writer.
To spot linking verbs in your writing, search for forms of "to be" and verbs that convey a perception or sensation. Then, try replacing them with more descriptive action verbs to add energy and detail to your sentences.
Remember, sometimes a linking verb may be the most suitable option. If you can't find an appropriate action verb, it's acceptable to leave the sentence as is. Keep practicing and soon you'll effortlessly recognize and replace linking verbs with exciting action verbs to boost your writing prowess.
