How to Strengthen Your Verbs in Fiction

How to Strengthen Your Verbs in Fiction

The bedrock of compelling fiction isn’t plot twists or soaring prose, but something far more fundamental: the humble verb. A weak verb acts like a leaky faucet, steadily eroding the reader’s engagement. A powerful verb, conversely, is a jolt of electricity, transferring immediate understanding and visceral feeling. This isn’t about using fancy words; it’s about precision, clarity, and impact. Over 3000 words, we will dissect the anatomy of verb strength, moving beyond generic advice to actionable strategies that will transform your prose from passive observation to active experience.

The Silent Saboteurs: Identifying Weak Verbs

Before we can build, we must deconstruct. Weak verbs often sneak into our writing disguised as convenience. They are the scaffolding we use when we haven’t yet found the true architectural support. Recognizing them is the first, crucial step.

1. The “To Be” Epidemic (and its Cousins):
The most notorious culprits are forms of “to be” (is, am, are, was, were, be, being, been). While grammatically necessary at times, their overuse creates static, descriptive sentences that lack momentum. Equally problematic are “to have,” “to make,” “to get,” and “to go” when used generically.

• Weak Example: “The man was angry.” (Static, tells us nothing about his anger beyond its existence.)
• Stronger Example: “The man fumed.” (Immediately conveys the type of anger and its intensity.)
• Weak Example: “She had a plan.” (Generic. What kind of plan? What was its nature?)
• Stronger Example: “She devised a plan.” (Implies active thought, creation, and an intricate process.)

The key is to ask: can a more specific verb replace this generic one and carry more information or evoke a stronger image? Often, the answer is a resounding yes.

2. Verbs with Weak Adverbial Support:
Often, writers use an adverb to prop up a weak verb. This is like putting a band-aid on a gaping wound. The adverb tries to explain what the verb should do. The stronger approach is to choose a verb that already contains the adverb’s meaning.

• Weak Example: “He walked slowly.” (The burden is on “slowly” to convey the pace.)
• Stronger Example: “He ambled.” or “He sauntered.” or “He crept.” (Each verb inherently carries a specific type of slowness.)
• Weak Example: “She spoke softly.”
• Stronger Example: “She whispered.” or “She mumbled.” or “She sighed.”

This isn’t to say adverbs are inherently evil. They have their place for nuance and emphasis when the verb is already strong. But never let an adverb compensate for a flabby verb.

3. Passive Voice Predilection:
The passive voice (“The ball was thrown by the boy”) renders the subject recipient of the action rather than the performer. It distances the reader from the action and often necessitates more words, diluting impact.

• Weak Example (Passive): “The decision was made by the committee.”
• Stronger Example (Active): “The committee decided.”

While the passive voice has legitimate uses (e.g., when the actor is unknown or unimportant), its habitual use saps energy from your narrative. Always strive for the active voice unless there’s a compelling reason not to.

The Arsenal of Impact: Strategies for Verb Strengthening

Now that we can identify weakness, let’s explore the powerful techniques for building verb strength. These aren’t just theoretical concepts; they are practical tools for every drafting and revision stage.

1. Embrace Precision: The Right Verb for the Right Moment:
The English language is rich with synonyms, each possessing subtle variations in meaning and connotation. Don’t settle for the first verb that comes to mind. Deliberately choose the verb that most accurately and vividly portrays the action, emotion, or state.

• Instead of “He looked at the painting,” consider:
  • “He gazed at the painting.” (Long, admiring look)
  • “He scanned the painting.” (Quick, searching look)
  • “He studied the painting.” (Detailed, analytical look)
  • “He peered at the painting.” (Close, perhaps with difficulty)
  • “He ogled the painting.” (Crude, covetous look)

Each verb instantly paints a different picture of the character’s internal state and the nature of their observation. This level of precision elevates the prose from merely reporting events to immersing the reader in the character’s experience.

Actionable Step: When editing, circle every instance of a common, generic verb. Then, brainstorm at least five more precise alternatives. Ask yourself: what exactly is happening here? What is the nuance?

2. Tap into Sensory Details: Verbs That Evoke Sensation:
Verbs can do more than just describe action; they can evoke sensory experiences. By choosing verbs associated with sight, sound, touch, smell, or taste, you pull the reader deeper into the scene.

• Sound: Instead of “The door closed,” consider “The door slammed,” “The door creaked shut,” “The door snapped closed.” Each evokes a different sound and implication.
• Sight: Instead of “The light appeared,” consider “The light gleamed,” “The light flickered,” “The light blazed.”
• Touch/Feeling: Instead of “He felt nervous,” consider “His stomach churned,” “His palms sweated,” “A tremor shot through him.”

These verbs aren’t just descriptive; they are experiential. They allow the reader to feel what the character feels, to hear what they hear.

Actionable Step: During revision, highlight sentences that feel flat. Can you replace a generic verb with one that specifically engages one or more of the five senses? Imagine yourself in the scene – what would you perceive?

3. Embrace Movement and Energy: Verbs That Propel Action:
Strong verbs are dynamic. They convey motion, change, and force. They inject energy into your sentences, preventing them from bogging down.

• Instead of “He went into the room,” consider:
  • “He strode into the room.” (Purposeful, confident movement)
  • “He lurked into the room.” (Secretive, hesitant movement)
  • “He bolted into the room.” (Sudden, urgent movement)
  • “He drifted into the room.” (Unfocused, perhaps involuntary movement)

Think about the physics of the action. Is it fast or slow? Smooth or jerky? Deliberate or accidental? The verb should embody that nuanced movement.

Actionable Step: Review your action sequences. Are characters merely “doing” things, or are they performing them with intention and force? Replace static verbs with kinetic ones.

4. Show, Don’t (Just) Tell: Verbs That Reveal Character:
When a verb is chosen with care, it can reveal aspects of a character’s personality, mood, or motivation without the need for additional explanation. This is the essence of “show, don’t tell.”

• Instead of “She was sad,” consider:
  • “Her shoulders slumped.”
  • “Tears welled in her eyes.”
  • “A heavy sigh escaped her lips.”

These actions, conveyed through strong verbs, illustrate sadness rather than just stating it. The reader infers the emotion through tangible behavior.

• Instead of “He was arrogant,” consider:
  • “He strutted into the room.”
  • “His voice boomed.”
  • “He dismissed their concerns with a wave of his hand.”

Each of these verbs shows, through action, the character’s arrogance.

Actionable Step: For every instance where you’ve described a character’s internal state (happy, sad, angry, confident), try to rephrase it by focusing on outward actions that use strong verbs to demonstrate that state.

5. Leverage Figurative Language: Verbs That Spark Imagination:
Sometimes, a verb can be strengthened by imbuing it with figurative meaning, particularly through metaphor or personification. This adds a layer of depth and imaginative flair.

• Instead of “The wind blew,” consider:
  • “The wind screamed through the trees.” (Personification, implying violence and intensity)
  • “The wind shredded the leaves.” (Metaphor, evoking destructive force)
• Instead of “Doubt entered her mind,” consider:
  • “Doubt gnawed at her.” (Metaphor, suggesting a persistent, insidious torment)

Use this technique sparingly and deliberately. Overuse can make your prose feel forced or overly embellished. When used effectively, it creates memorable imagery.

Actionable Step: Look for opportunities to give inanimate objects or abstract concepts active roles using verbs commonly associated with living beings or concrete actions. Does the shadow crawl? Does the fear tighten?

6. Avoid Redundancy: Streamlining Verb Phrases:
Often, a single powerful verb can replace a wordy phrase or a weak verb paired with a noun.

• Weak Phrase: “He made a decision.”
• Stronger Verb: “He decided.”
• Weak Phrase: “She gave a warning.”
• Stronger Verb: “She warned.”
• Weak Phrase: “They came to a conclusion.”
• Stronger Verb: “They concluded.”

Scrutinize instances where a noun derived from a verb (nominalization) is used. Can you revert it to its stronger verbal form? This cleans up your sentences and makes them more direct.

Actionable Step: Search your manuscript for phrases like “made a,” “gave a,” “had a,” “took a,” “put a.” In many cases, these can be collapsed into a single, more potent verb.

The Refinement Process: Editing for Verb Strength

Strengthening verbs isn’t a one-and-done task; it’s an iterative process, woven into the fabric of your revision strategy.

1. The “Find and Replace” Game (with Caution):
While not a blanket solution, a targeted “find and replace” for common weak verbs (like “was,” “were,” “had,” “got,” “went,” “made”) can highlight problematic sentences quickly. However, this is just a diagnostic tool. You must then manually review each instance, assessing if a stronger verb is truly possible and appropriate in context. Don’t simply swap “was” for a random verb; ensure the new verb accurately reflects the original meaning and enhances it.

2. Read Aloud: The Auditory Test:
Reading your work aloud is an invaluable technique. Weak verbs often create a stilted, lifeless rhythm. Strong verbs, conversely, often impart a sense of flow and natural cadence. When a sentence sounds clunky or flat, a weak verb is often the culprit.

3. The “Verb Isolation” Exercise:
Print out a page of your writing. Using a highlighter, mark every verb. Step back and look at the density of your highlights. Are they mostly dynamic, or are you seeing a preponderance of forms of “to be” and other generic verbs? Then, for each highlighted verb, ask: Is this the absolute best verb I could have chosen? Does it carry its own weight?

4. Target Over-Description: Adjective-Adverbectomy:
When you find yourself relying heavily on adjectives and adverbs to describe an action or a state, it’s often a sign that the verb itself is insufficient. Instead of “He ran very quickly,” reconsider: “He sprinted,” “He dashed,” “He streaked.” The stronger verb absorbs the meaning of the adverbs, making the prose leaner and more impactful.

5. Embrace the Thesaurus (Wisely):
A thesaurus is a tool, not a crutch. Don’t simply pick the fanciest synonym. Instead, use it as a brainstorming aid to explore nuances of meaning. Look up “walk.” You’ll find “stroll,” “amble,” “trudge,” “lope,” “stomp,” “tiptoe,” “march.” Each suggests a different pace, intent, and personality. Your goal is the most precise synonym, not just any synonym. Always try out potential replacements in context to ensure they fit the tone and meaning of your sentence.

The Ripple Effect: How Strong Verbs Transform Your Fiction

The meticulous effort you invest in strengthening your verbs doesn’t just improve individual sentences; it transforms the entire fabric of your narrative.

1. Enhanced Immersion: When verbs are strong and precise, readers are pulled into the story more effortlessly. They don’t just read about events; they experience them. The narrative becomes a vivid, sensory world rather than a flat recounting.

2. Increased Pacing and Momentum: Weak, static verbs bog down your prose. Strong, action-oriented verbs inject energy and propel the reader forward, creating a dynamic reading experience. Even in slow scenes, precise verbs maintain engagement.

3. Deeper Characterization: As discussed, strong verbs reveal character through action and subtle nuances, often better than direct description. A character who “hunts” opportunities is fundamentally different from one who merely “looks” for them.

4. Greater Economy of Language: Powerful verbs often consolidate meaning, allowing you to convey more with fewer words. This lean, muscular prose is more direct, impactful, and less likely to bore the reader. It removes the unnecessary scaffolding of adverbs and weak nominalizations.

5. Authority and Confidence: Writing with strong verbs demonstrates a command of language. It shows that you’ve considered every word and chosen it with purpose. This confidence translates to the reader, building trust in your narrative voice.

Final Thoughts on Verb Mastery

Mastering verbs is a journey, not a destination. It requires continuous attention and a willingness to scrutinize every word. It’s about developing a keen awareness of the power embedded in these humble linguistic units. Begin by identifying your personal “verb crutches.” Are you constantly using passive voice? Do you rely too heavily on “to be”? Tackle these habits systematically.

Remember, the goal is not to eliminate all weak verbs – sometimes, a simple “was” is perfectly valid and efficient. The goal is to maximize impact, to choose the most potent and precise verb in every possible instance. Your readers will not consciously recognize your strong verbs, but they will feel their power. They will be more engaged, more immersed, and more connected to the world and characters you have so painstakingly brought to life. Elevate your verbs, and you elevate your fiction.