“Verbify” is a great example of a word that does what it means: to verbify is to change a non-action word or even a phrase into a verb.
A lot of writing teachers and websites will advise you to avoid passive sentences, which is true in most cases. But, did you know that there are other ways to “activate” your writing?
Using too many nouns can drag down your sentences, making them sluggish and slow. Changing those nouns into verbs can kick up your writing and reduce wordiness at the same time.
For example
Instead of: He made the suggestion that we go to the movies.
Verbify!: He suggested we go to the movies.
Instead of: They quickly came to the realization that they were lost and made the decision to turn around.
Verbify!: They quickly realized they were lost and decided to turn around.
Instead of: We should take into consideration their objections.
Verbify!: We should consider their objections.
Instead of: They gave us information about the progress of the new research program.
Verbify!: They informed us about the new research program’s progress.
(Tip: another great way to reduce wordiness is by removing “of” phrases)
Some nouns and their verbs forms
| Noun | Verb | Noun | Verb |
| Analysis Approval Argument Assumption Belief Collection Conclusion Decision Demonstration Disagreement Discussion | Analyze Approve Argue Assume Believe Collect Conclude Decide Demonstrate Disagree Discuss | Expansion Exploration Failure Intention Interference Intervention Investigation Solution Success Suggestion Realization | Expand Explore Fail Intend Interfere Intervene Investigate Solve Succeed Suggest Realize |
Practice
How would you “verbify” these sentences?
- My friend takes a bath in cold water as a means of stimulating her creativity.
- In their analysis, the economists came to the conclusion that inflation rates were within normal ranges.
- To make a determination about how many people felt it necessary to stay late at work, I made use of a simple questionnaire.
- The basis of the achievement of your goal is the development of a positive attitude.
- The discussion of a group of her friends was about how to surprise the girl on her birthday without her knowing.
Email me your answers, and I’ll send you my more concise and active re-writes of these sentences!