Strong Verbs

Use Strong Verbs instead of Adverbs

Adverbs (those words that often end in -ly) modify verbs and sometimes adjectives. It’s fine to use adverbs occasionally, but it is much better to use a strong verb instead.

A strong verb is a better and more descriptive version of a basic verb that creates a stronger visual and can help create a mood for your writing.

Weak verbs are the “basic” forms of a specific action, like “walked” or “ran.” Strong verbs are a specified form of a broader action, like “stomped” or “bolted. So the main thing you need to remember when it comes to strong verbs vs weak verbs is how specific it is.

For example, instead of saying "he ran quickly" (quickly being the adverb), you could say "he sprinted" or "he bolted". Maybe the girl "spoke quietly" – how much more descriptive would it be to say "she whispered" or "she muttered".

Here are some examples of strong verbs to get you started:

Slam Strike Crash Slice

Smash Ram Smack Bang

Dash Bolt Charge Shoot

Bound Plunge Hurl Fling

Lob Carve Forge Sprint