WRITING | ENGLISH

Replace the Verb “To Be” for More Powerful Writing

3 Reasons Why You Should Do It

“In writing, you must kill all your darlings.” — William Faulkner

To be or not to be… That is the question, quite literally.

And the answer can improve your writing by leaps and bounds.

Welcome to the “Not to Be” rule.

Eliminate the verb “to be” and all its related forms as much as possible from your text and introduce a new verb to express the same idea.

Whenever you see “was,” “were,” “are,” “am,” “is” try to replace it with an expressive and colorful verb that would express the same idea.

The results may surprise you.

Examples

ORIGINAL: The number of complaints are down by 68 percent this week. [Replace “are”]

BETTER: The number of complaints plummeted 68 percent this week.

ORIGINAL: ABC Corporation was first with the remote-controlled cooking concept. [Replace “was”]

BETTER: ABC Corporation pioneered the remote-controlled cooking concept.

ORIGINAL: The villagers were happy when the aid convoy arrived. [Replace “were”]

BETTER: The villagers rejoiced when the aid convoy arrived. Subheading

Other examples of replacing the verb “to be” with a more descriptive and powerful verb

1. Original: She is happy.

BETTER: She radiates happiness.

2. Original: The food is delicious.

BETTER: The food tantalizes the taste buds.

3. Original: They are angry.

BETTER: They seethe with anger.

4. Original: The movie is boring.

BETTER: The movie fails to captivate.

5. Original: The flowers are beautiful.

BETTER: The flowers bloom magnificently.

6. Original: He is smart.

BETTER: He possesses remarkable intelligence.

7. Original: The sunset is stunning.

BETTER: The sunset dazzles with its beauty.

8. Original: The music is loud.

BETTER: The music reverberates through the room.

3 Reasons Why

Replacing the verb ‘to be’ with a more descriptive verb is considered better writing because it enhances the clarity, specificity, and overall impact of the sentence. The verb ‘to be’ (am, is, are, was, were, etc.) is a simple and generic linking verb that does not provide much information or imagery. By substituting it with a more descriptive verb, the writing becomes more engaging and vivid.

Using specific verbs helps to convey action, emotions, and sensory details, allowing the reader to have a clearer understanding of what is happening in the sentence. For example, instead of saying “The food was good,” a more descriptive alternative could be “The food delighted my taste buds.” This replacement not only provides a stronger visual image but also adds a personal touch by expressing the speaker’s enjoyment.

Moreover, using descriptive verbs adds depth and precision to the writing. It allows the writer to choose words that precisely capture the intended meaning and tone. For instance, instead of saying “She is tired,” a more expressive verb could be “She slumped in exhaustion.” This replacement not only conveys her fatigue but also paints a more vivid picture of her physical state.

By avoiding the overuse of ‘to be’ and opting for more descriptive verbs, writing becomes more dynamic, engaging, and memorable. It brings life to the sentences, creating a stronger connection with the reader and making the writing more impactful overall.

For more better writing tips and examples visit 101 Pro Writing Techniques.