Verbs are action words that make sentences more dynamic.

Three general tips for more effective verb usage:

1) Avoid using weak verbs: For example:

Weak: I ran fast.

Better: I sprinted.

The first sentence is vague, while the second sentence might be more accurate as it describes a form of running.

2) Avoid overusing the past progressive tense (using ‘was’ or ‘were’ before a verb), which creates a sense of ongoing action but can also make a sentence feel weak. The use is often associated with gerunds (words ending in ‘-ing’). For example:

Weak: I was driving to town

Better: I drove to town.

3) Be wary of phrasal verbs. These verbs create common phrases that may need clarification as the meanings may not be apparent. For example:

Weak: I wanted to run into Peter.

Better: I wanted to meet Peter.

Here, ’run into’ could mean ‘meet’, but it has another meaning where it means ‘to crash into.’