Writing Application: Using Verbs & Adjectives
Learn
Strong writers choose their words carefully. Using vivid verbs and specific adjectives makes your writing more interesting and clear.
Weak vs. Strong Verbs
- Weak: The dog went across the yard.
- Strong: The dog raced across the yard.
- Strong: The dog crept across the yard.
Notice how "raced" and "crept" paint different pictures!
Vague vs. Specific Adjectives
- Vague: It was a nice day.
- Specific: It was a sunny, warm day.
- Vague: The food was good.
- Specific: The pizza was cheesy and delicious.
Examples
Before (Weak Writing):
"The cat went up the tree. It was a big tree. The cat was scared."
After (Strong Writing):
"The frightened cat scrambled up the tall oak tree. Its fluffy orange fur stood on end."
Practice
1. Replace the weak verb: "The bird went to its nest."
A) The bird flew to its nest.
B) The bird went fast to its nest.
C) The bird did go to its nest.
D) The bird was going to its nest.
Answer
A) - "Flew" is a stronger, more specific verb that shows how the bird moved.
2. Which sentence uses more vivid adjectives?
A) The nice dog played with the good ball.
B) The playful golden retriever chased the bright red ball.
C) The dog that was nice played with the ball that was good.
D) The very nice dog played with the very good ball.
Answer
B) - "Playful," "golden," and "bright red" are specific and help you picture the scene.
3. Choose a stronger verb: "The snake moved through the grass."
A) went
B) slithered
C) did move
D) was moving
Answer
B) - "Slithered" describes exactly how snakes move.
4. Improve this sentence: "The house was old."
A) The house was very old.
B) The creaky, weathered house stood at the end of the street.
C) The house was old and stuff.
D) The old house was old.
Answer
B) - "Creaky" and "weathered" paint a vivid picture of an old house.
5. Which verb best fits: "The lion _____ at the gazelle."
A) looked
B) pounced
C) went
D) was
Answer
B) - "Pounced" shows the action a hunting lion would take.
6. Replace "said" with a stronger verb: "I'm so happy!" she said.
A) "I'm so happy!" she said loudly.
B) "I'm so happy!" she exclaimed.
C) "I'm so happy!" she did say.
D) "I'm so happy!" she was saying.
Answer
B) - "Exclaimed" shows excitement and is more expressive than "said."
7. Add a vivid adjective: "The _____ wind blew the leaves."
A) nice
B) good
C) howling
D) some
Answer
C) - "Howling" describes the sound and strength of the wind.
8. Which pair of adjectives best describes chocolate cake?
A) good and nice
B) rich and moist
C) brown and there
D) big and food
Answer
B) - "Rich" and "moist" describe the taste and texture of chocolate cake.
9. Improve: "The kids ran to the playground."
A) The kids quickly ran to the playground.
B) The excited children raced to the colorful playground.
C) The kids ran and ran to the playground.
D) Kids ran to playground.
Answer
B) - Uses strong verb "raced" and vivid adjectives "excited" and "colorful."
10. Which verb shows fear? "The mouse _____ away from the cat."
A) walked
B) strolled
C) scurried
D) marched
Answer
C) - "Scurried" suggests quick, fearful movement.
Next Steps
- Look at your own writing and find weak verbs to replace
- Make a list of vivid adjectives you can use
- Continue to the Editing Workshop