Using Verbs
Photo by Khamkéo Vilaysing on Unsplash
Using Verbs
For the last couple of times, we have been talking about description. And when you think of description, what part of speech do you automatically think of? Adjectives, right? And adverbs, too, of course. But there is another part of speech that is as important in description as adjectives and adverbs, often more important. It is strong, carefully chosen verbs.
Let’s start with an example in which the verb is neither strong nor carefully chosen: He came into the room. What kind of a picture do you get? Any at all?
You could say, He walked into the room. That’s a little better. At least we know how he moved . . . in an ordinary walk.
But what if you said, He stomped into the room? Does that give you more of a picture. This boy—whoever he is—must be angry to be stomping.
Try some other verbs . . .danced, stalked, meandered, slumped. Each one gives you an entirely different picture of the boy entering the room. Can you think of other choices that will give a clear picture?
Let’s leave the boy and the room behind and consider something else. Trees, for instance. Now, trees pretty much just stand there, not doing much. But are there verbs you might choose that would let us see a particular tree? It could bow in the wind. If it’s a weeping willow, it could droop. If it’s a poplar, it could stretch toward the sky. What about sounds a tree might make? It could whisper. It could sigh. It could even rattle if the wind is blowing hard enough.
When you are thinking about verbs, don’t automatically take the first one that pops into your head. The robin sang. All birds sing. That’s a pretty bland verb. Can you think of a better one to describe a robin’s song?
Sometimes you can use a verb that will surprise your readers in a small way. The crow barked a command. Or The alarm clock wailed. Those verbs give the readers a feeling about what is going on. The crows are bossy, in charge. The alarm clock intrudes in an unwelcome way.
Now, you write some descriptive sentences. Avoid adjectives or adverbs. Use strong, interesting verbs to let your readers see and hear and feel.
