Strong Verbs to Replace Weak Ones

Strong verbs replace flat ones with specific action: instead of walk use stride or trudge, instead of run use sprint or bolt, and instead of look use gaze or glare.

Instead of "walk"

Instead of "run"

Instead of "look"

Instead of "eat"

Instead of "make"

Frequently asked questions

What are strong verbs?

Strong verbs name a specific action — stride, sprint, devour — instead of a vague one like walk, run, or eat, so the reader pictures exactly what happened without needing an adverb.

Why use strong verbs in writing?

A precise verb does the work of a verb plus an adverb: "sprinted" is sharper than "ran quickly". Strong verbs make prose shorter and more vivid at the same time.

Back to Top