Verbs for Action

Verbs are the action words of the English language. In the business world, which emphasizes communicating to get things done, verbs are valuable. If you can use more verbs — especially active verbs — your writing will become shorter, clearer, and more action-oriented.

The opposite style — noun-based writing — is characteristic of bureaucratic style. With noun-based writing, there is no action in the sentence. Nothing seems to happen. Also, noun-based writing tends to use more words. As a result, writers end up writing more and accomplishing less!

A sentence without action will fail to engage its readers. Look at the following comparison of paragraphs: one is noun-based, and the other is verb-based (action-oriented). The first is so packed with nouns that it is almost unintelligible.