Are you tired of skimming through the same old verbs? Then maybe action verbs are the answer your writing needs.
Action verbs are a unique breed of words used to describe physical and mental activities. They can add a certain level of excitement and dynamism to a sentence and can help bring your writing to life. But what makes action verbs different from regular verbs?
What are action verbs?
First of all, action verbs are more specific than regular verbs. While regular verbs describe an action in general terms, action verbs provide a more detailed description of the activity taking place. For example, the regular verb “run” can be replaced with the action verb “sprint” to give the sentence more energy and vigor. Similarly, the regular verb “speak” can be replaced with the action verb “shout” to convey a greater sense of urgency or emotion.
Action verbs also tend to be more vivid than regular verbs.
This is because they evoke images in the reader’s mind that help brings the sentence to life. For example, instead of using the regular verb “walk”, you could use the action verb “stride” to create a vivid image of someone walking with purpose and determination. Similarly, instead of using the regular verb “say”, you could use the action verb “bellow” to create a vivid image of someone speaking with a loud and powerful voice.
Using Animals as Verbs
Animals can be used as verbs to describe certain actions or behaviors. For example, we can say “he was foxing around the room” to describe someone who is acting slyly or mischievously. We can also use animals to create metaphors or analogies. For example, “the company is like a beehive of activity” to describe a busy and productive work environment.
Using animals as verbs can help us communicate more effectively by providing vivid imagery and making our language more interesting and engaging. It can also make our writing more vivid and descriptive, which can help readers better understand our message.
Using animals as verbs can be a fun way to add some humor and lightheartedness to our writing.
Using Jobs as Verbs
Jobs as verbs can be used to add a fun, lighthearted tone to a sentence. For example, if someone “doctored” their thesis, it could imply that they made some minor changes or edits to it in order to make it better. This usage of the verb “doctor” is a humorous way of saying that someone made improvements to their work without having to use a more serious word like “revise” or “edit”.
Using these action verbs isn’t an easy concept to wrap your head around, that’s for sure. But what better way to improve your writing than with practice? And how better to practice than with more tools at your disposal?
With that in mind, here’s a huge list of action verbs to use in your writing instead of the more dull common ones everyone is used to. Enjoy!
Huge List of Action Verbs to Replace Common Verbs
Since this is kind of hard to do, we wrote down dozens of the most common verbs in the English language alongside three powerful action verbs to replace them with. So, if you’re in doubt about an essay or a piece of writing you’re working on, simply CTRL + F for the verb you want to replace and find it in the list below. Let’s get started!
Common verb: Have
Action verbs: Possess, Command, Dominate
Common verb: Do
Action verbs: Execute, Accomplish, Achieve
Common verb: Make
Action verbs: Construct, Fabricate, Forge
Common verb: Say
Action verbs: Utter, Declare, Proclaim
Common verb: Go
Action verbs: Traverse, Voyage, Trek
Common verb: Get
Action verbs: Obtain, Procure, Secure
Common verb: Know
Action verbs: Grasp, Comprehend, Apprehend
Common verb: Take
Action verbs: Seize, Capture, Acquire
Common verb: See
Action verbs: Perceive, Discern, Glimpse
Common verb: Come
Action verbs: Arrive, Emerge, Approach
Common verb: Think
Action verbs: Contemplate, Analyze, Deliberate
Common verb: Look
Action verbs: Gaze, Glance, Peek
Common verb: Want
Action verbs: Desire, Crave, Yearn
Common verb: Give
Action verbs: Bestow, Donate, Present
Common verb: Use
Action verbs: Employ, Utilize, Operate
Common verb: Find
Action verbs: Discover, Uncover, Locate
Common verb: Tell
Action verbs: Relate, Narrate, Communicate
Common verb: Ask
Action verbs: Inquire, Interrogate, Quiz
Common verb: Work
Action verbs: Labor, Toil, Exert
Common verb: Seem
Action verbs: Appear, Imply, Suggest
Common verb: Feel
Action verbs: Experience, Perceive, Sensitize
Common verb: Try
Action verbs: Endeavor, Strive, Aspire
Common verb: Leave
Action verbs: Depart, Abandon, Relinquish
Common verb: Call
Action verbs: Summon, Invoke, Hail
Common verb: Play
Action verbs: Perform, Enact, Execute
Common verb: Run
Action verbs: Sprint, Dash, Race
Common verb: Move
Action verbs: Displace, Relocate, Transfer
Common verb: Live
Action verbs: Reside, Inhabit, Occupy
Common verb: Belong
Action verbs: Possess, Own , Claim
Common verb: Stand
Action verbs: Upright, Prop, Support
Common verb: Include
Action verbs: Comprise, Incorporate, Contain
Common verb: Continue
Action verbs: Persevere, Endure, Maintain
Common verb: Set
Action verbs: Establish, Fix, Determine
Common verb: Hear
Action verbs: Listen, Heed, Auscultate
Common verb: Learn
Action verbs: Study, Master, Acquire
Common verb: Change
Action verbs: Transform, Alter, Modify
Common verb: Lead
Action verbs: Guide, Direct, Command
Common verb: Understand
Action verbs: Comprehend, Grasp, Fathom
Common verb: Watch
Action verbs: Observe, Monitor, Survey
Common verb: Follow
Action verbs: Trace, Pursue, Chase
Common verb: Stop
Action verbs: Halt, Terminate, Cease
Common verb: Create
Action verbs: Generate, Produce, Construct
Common verb: Speak
Action verbs: Express, Articulate, Declare
Common verb: Become
Action verbs: Evolve, Develop, Metamorphose
Common verb: Show
Action verbs: Demonstrate, Exhibit, Indicate
Common verb: Put
Action verbs: Place, Position, Insert
Common verb: Bring
Action verbs: Convey, Transport, Fetch
Common verb: Happen
Action verbs: Occur, Emerge, Transpire
Common verb: Write
Action verbs: Compose, Pen, Script
Common verb: Provide
Action verbs: Furnish, Supply, Render
Common verb: Sit
Action verbs: Perch, Rest, Occupy
Common verb: Remember
Action verbs: Recollect, Commemorate, Retain
Common verb: Win
Action verbs: Triumph, Conquer, Vanquish
Common verb: Offer
Action verbs: Proffer, Present, Submit
Common verb: Remember
Action verbs: Recollect, Commemorate, Retain
Common verb: Love
Action verbs: Adore, Cherish, Idolize
Common verb: Consider
Action verbs: Reflect, Weigh, Examine
Common verb: Appear
Action verbs: Manifest, Emerge, Arise
Common verb: Buy
Action verbs: Purchase, Acquire, Procure
Common verb: Serve
Action verbs: Cater, Facilitate, Provide
Common verb: Die
Action verbs: Expire, Depart, Perish
Common verb: Send
Action verbs: Dispatch, Transmit, Relay
Common verb: Build
Action verbs: Construct, Erect, Fabricate
Common verb: Stay
Action verbs: Remain, Reside , Abide
Common verb: Fall
Action verbs: Descend, Plunge , Subside
Common verb: Cut
Action verbs: Sever, Slice, Trim
Common verb: Reach
Action verbs: Attain, Achieve, Contact
Common verb: Kill
Action verbs: Assassinate, Slay, Eradicate
Common verb: Raise
Action verbs: Elevate, Boost, Uplift
Common verb: Pass
Action verbs: Transmit, Convey, Circulate
Common verb: Sell
Action verbs: Trade, Barter, Exchange
Common verb: Return
Action verbs: Revert, Recur, Restore
Common verb: Drive
Action verbs: Pilot, Maneuver, Steer
Common verb: Exist
Action verbs: Survive, Endure, Abide
Common verb: Meet
Action verbs: Encounter, Assemble, Gather
If you enjoyed this article you might also be interested in learning about how to use transition words to improve your writing.
