Verbs enliven language.  They are your single greatest weapon against dullness.  By adding this one tool to your writing style -- using more verbs -- you will earn your readers' undying gratitude.  Of course, you must use nouns when necessary, but when you begin to search for needless nouns, you will find many that could profitably be rewritten as verbs.  Why use more verbs?  Verbs are active and dynamic.  Nouns sit there. Verbs move. Here are a few ways to convert stuffy nouns into zippy verbs:

Eliminate "-ation" Words

You can usually find your unnecessary nouns in forms ending with "-ation."  Search out all the "-ation" and "-ition" words in your work.  Strike out those endings and look to the left.  There you will find a verb.  Use that instead.  For example:

Decide or determine, not make a determination

Think or consider, not give consideration

Do or implement, not proceed with the implementation

Note that using the verb form automatically reduces the length of your sentence, too.  This is a good thing.

Use the Verbal Form.

Another simple way to make your writing more alive is to choose the verbal usage of words that you can use as either nouns or verbs.  These words include thought, use, need and request. For example:

We thought instead of careful thought was given

Return it after you use it, rather than return it after each use.

Call me if you need me instead of call me if the need arises

As you requested instead of as per your request

Develop the habit of writing with verbs, and many other writing weaknesses will melt away.  You will automatically use the active voice more often and reduce the average length of your sentences.  Not only that, your readers will love you!

© 2009  Elizabeth Danziger