As writers we often get stuck in particular patterns of writing, and one of these patterns is using the same verbs over and over again. One way to solve this problem is by replacing your general verbs with vivid verbs.

Vivid verbs are useful for a variety of reasons. First of all, they make your writing more interesting and enjoyable for the reader. Secondly, vivid verbs have more specific meanings than the general verbs they replace. However, you must be careful when replacing a general verb with a vivid verb to ensure that the vivid verb does not significantly alter the meaning of the sentence. Always consult a dictionary if you’re unsure of a word’s exact meaning.

The following table reveals several examples of general verbs and the vivid verbs that you can use to replace them. Keep in mind that each vivid verb has its own distinct meaning.

Let’s take a look at some examples that show how replacing general verbs with vivid verbs make sentences more interesting and more specific:

EX As the students walked through the park, the breeze blew the leaves on the trees.

EX As the students ambled through the park, the breeze lifted the leaves on the trees.

In the revised sentence, the verb “ambled” connotes relaxation and pleasantness, while the verb “lifted” connotes a gentle action. Here the use of vivid verbs conveys a pleasant tone. Now, let’s look at another example:

EX The harder James worked, the more he disliked his job and the customers he served.

EX The harder James toiled, the more he detested his job and the customers he served.

In the revised sentence, the verb “toiled” denotes hard labor, while the verb “detested” denotes intense dislike. Here the use of vivid verbs conveys a more negative tone. Also note that not all of the verbs in the example sentence were replaced with vivid verbs; the writer chose to leave the verb served because it seemed specific enough for the situation. Vivid verbs are best used in moderation; replacing more than two or three general verbs in one sentence could make the sentence difficult for the reader to understand.

The examples above demonstrate how using vivid verbs can significantly improve your writing by making it more enjoyable and more specific. In effect, vivid verbs are a great tool to use when you want to make your meanings clear to the reader.

In addition to our website, we recommend Paradigm’s “Best Word” page at http://www.powa.org/revise/bestword.html. This page offers tips to help you choose the best word to use in nearly any writing situation. 

Test your understanding of vivid verbs by replacing each of the common verbs in the following sentences with a specific vivid verb.

1. Janet laughed at the professor’s Freudian slip.

2. The college student saw the traffic accident that occurred on Highway 87.

3. When I arrived home I was hungry enough to eat the entire cake.

Answer

1. Janet snickered or sniggered or giggled at the professor’s Freudian slip.

2. The college student witnessed the traffic accident that occurred on Highway 87.

3. When I arrived home I was hungry enough to devour or consume or gobble up the entire cake.

[Note that answers may vary. Even if you do not see your answer here, it may still be correct.]

Grammatically Correct is a grammar tip of the week created by Academic Center Peer Writing Tutors at the University of Houston-Victoria in Victoria, Texas.

Comments about this newsletter should be directed to Summer Leibensperger, leibenspergers@uhv.edu.

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