Vivid Verbs

Vivid Verbs

Open Ended

When you hear or read the term phrase, "Weak verb" what do you think? Be specific.

Open Ended

What is a vivid verb? Be specific.

​Weak Verbs

​​“To be” and “To have” verbs are weak.

​

​am, is, are, were, be, being, been, has, had, have, having.

​Weak Verbs

​​“To be” and “To have” verbs are weak.

​

​am, is, are, were, be, being, been, has, had, have, having.

​Weak Verbs

​​“To be” and “To have” verbs are weak.

​

​am, is, are, were, be, being, been, has, had, have, having.

​Weak Verbs

​​“To be” and “To have” verbs weaken your writing.

​

​am, is, are, were, be, being, been, has, had, have, having.

​Weak Verbs

​Instead use verbs that show action.

​

​From this: The soup is delicious.

​

​To this: The soup taste delicious.

​Weak Verbs

​Instead use verbs that show action.

​

​From this: He is so quiet when he speaks..

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​To this: He whispers when he speaks..

​Which would you rather read?

​#1

​

​Many educators are debating whether schools should let students have phones in class. Teachers are afraid that students will be constantly texting and not paying attention to the work they are supposed to be doing.

​#2

​

Many educators debate whether schools should allow phones in class. Teachers fear that students will text constantly and not pay attention to the work they must do.

Poll

Which would you rather read?

• #1

• #2

Open Ended

Why did you pick the option that you did?

Vivid Verbs

​Vivid verbs provide more description for the reader:

​

​She sat in the chair.

​She slouched in the chair.

She perched on the chair.

​She slumped in the chair.

Open Ended

Change the verbs of this passage to make it better.  In other words, rewrite this passage and focus on better verbs.

The young woman opened the door and walked down the steps to the car that sat by the curb.  She got into the car, sat in the passenger seat, and looked over at the drive.  Then she said one simple phrase: "It's done."

Open Ended

Give two steps you can implement now to improve your use of vivid verbs.