Use Effective Verbs

Use Action-Oriented Verbs

Verbs are supposed to carry the action in a sentence. When you use verbs like be, have, make, or do (and their variants), or when you use gerunds (-ing words), nouns carry the action and weaken the meaning. Replace weak verbs and gerunds with strong, action-oriented verbs to restore focus to verbs from nouns. Relying on verbs rather than nouns usually makes sentences shorter, clearer, and more direct.

Avoid Nouns Built from Verbs

Many nouns are built from verbs, for example, description and explanation. Such nouns are called nominalizations. Some sentences include a nominalization and a verb. Change the nominalization back into a verb and omit the existing verb to simplify those sentences.

Use the Simplest Tense

Simple verbs, such as verbs in the present tense, are easier to read and understand than complex verbs, such as verbs in the progressive or perfect tense, or verbs combined with helping verbs (such as can, may, might, must, and should).

Use Modal Verbs Accurately

Modal verbs are helping verbs that further modify the action or meaning of the main verb. If you need to use the following helping or modal verbs, use them accurately and consistently:

Use Single-Word Verbs

When possible, use single-word verbs rather than phrasal verbs (verbs followed by prepositions or adverbs).

If you must use a phrasal verb, keep the parts of the verb together unless that changes the meaning of the sentence. Some acceptable phrasal verbs are back up, log in, set up, shut down, and work around.

Don't Use Verbs as Nouns or Adjectives

If a word is defined in the dictionary as a verb, don't use it as a noun or adjective. Some verbs that are commonly misused as nouns or adjectives are configure, compile, debug, and install.

Don't Use Non-Verbs as Verbs

Don't use nouns or adjectives as verbs. Don't add verb suffixes to abbreviations, nouns, or conjunctions.

Use Transitive Verbs Transitively, not Intransitively

Transitive verbs, such as display and complete, require a direct object. Intransitive verbs don't require a direct object. Be sure to use each type of verb correctly.

To avoid using a transitive verb intransitively, you can make it passive if the performer of the action is understood or not important.

Use Correct Plurality Agreements

Verbs have singular and plural forms. Use the verb form that agrees with the subject of the sentence in number.

Don't Humanize Inanimate Objects

Be careful not to ascribe human feelings, motivations, and actions to inanimate objects. For example, a web application doesn't know, need, remember, see, think, understand, or want.

Often, we humanize technology with anthropomorphic words. Some writers believe this makes difficult topics more understandable or relatable. These words can make the concept harder to grasp for: - Readers that are less familiar with metaphors. - Readers with English as a second language.

There are standard anthropomorphic verbs in the computer industry. For example, a software program can detect, record, require, store, check, calculate, process, accept, calculate, deny, detect, interact, interpret, listen, refuse, read, and write. You can use anthropomorphic phrases standard to the industry to avoid awkward sentence constructions, but take the time to question common usage and decide if there’s a better word.

In general, avoid phrases that convey intention or desire (such as needs or wants), intellect (thinks, knows, or realizes), or emotion (likes or cares).