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Other Life-Draining Verb Constructions If thought is a train, then verbs are the wheels that carry the cargo along. The thought will move more quickly if it is transported by many big, strong wheels. Here are some constructions to avoid and how to choose bigger, better verbs instead. Using State-of-Being Verbs State-of-being verbs are all the forms of be: am, is, are, was, were, and so on. State-of-being verbs don't do as much as action verbs to move meaning. In our train-of-thought analogy, state-of-being verbs are very tiny wheels, incapable of moving big thoughts quickly or easily. If you have only trivial things to say, by all means, use state-of-being verbs. If your ideas are more complex or interesting, they will require bigger and better verbs. Look at the paragraph on the next page. In the first version, most of the verbs are state-of-being verbs. In the second version, action verbs make the paragraph more interesting. State-of-being verbs The class was outside during noon recess. The sunshine was bright. Earlier in the day there was rain, but later the weather was pleasant. The breeze was slight; the newly fallen leaves were in motion. Across the street from the school was an ice cream truck. It was what the children were looking at longingly. Action verbs The class played outside during noon recess. The sun shone brightly. Earlier in the day, rain had fallen, but later pleasant weather arrived. A slight breeze blew the newly fallen leaves. The children looked longingly at the ice cream truck across the street. |
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