What are action words, and why should you use them?<\/p>\n
Well, action verbs, like the list below, convey an action, they move your story forward, they make your characters do something.
\nAction Verbs are more descriptive, they convey a situation, something the character does. Basically, if your character "is being" something, try to use an action verb instead.<\/p>\n
For instance:<\/p>\n
Joe is in the car. vs. Joe drives the car. Joe parks the car. Joe starts the car.<\/p>\n
There are many more, but if you’re not sure, use your Thesaurus. <\/p>\n
| \n Action Verbs<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n abandon | \n abduct \n abolish \n abscond \n abuse \n accelerate \n accuse \n achieve \n acquire \n act \n adapt \n add \n address \n adjust \n administer \n advance \n advise \n aim \n allocate \n analyze \n answer \n anticipate \n apprehend \n approach \n appropriate \n arbitrate \n arrange \n arrest \n ascertain \n assault \n assemble \n assess \n attack \n attain \n audit \n avert \n bang \n bar \n beat \n berate \n bite \n blast \n block \n blow \n brighten \n broke \n buck \n budget \n built \n bump \n bury \n bushwhack \n calculate \n catch \n charge \n chart \n chase \n check \n choke \n clap \n clash \n classify \n climb \n clip \n clutch \n coach \n collapse \n collar \n collect \n collide \n command \n commandeer \n communicate \n compile \n complete \n compose \n compute \n conduct \n conserve \n consolidate \n construct \n consult \n control \n coordinate \n counsel \n count \n cram \n crash \n crawl \n create \n creep \n cripple \n crouch \n cut \n dance \n dart \n dash \n deal \n decide \n deck \n deduct \n define \n delegate \n delineate \n deliver \n descend \n describe \n design \n detect \n determine \n develop \n devise \n diagnose \n dictate \n dig \n direct \n discard \n discover \n display \n dissect \n distribute \n ditch \n dive \n divert \n do \n dodge \n dominate \n dope \n douse \n draft \n drag \n drain<\/td>\n dramatize | \n drape \n draw \n dress \n drill \n drink \n drip \n drop \n drown \n drug \n dry \n duel \n dunk \n ease \n edge \n edit \n eject \n elevate \n elope \n elude \n emerge \n endure \n engage \n enjoin \n ensnare \n enter \n equip \n erupt \n escape \n establish \n estimate \n evacuate \n evade \n evaluate \n evict \n examine \n exert \n exhale \n exit \n expand \n expedite \n expel \n explode \n experiment \n explain \n expose \n extend \n extirpate \n extract \n extricate \n fade \n fake \n fall \n falter \n fan \n fast \n fear \n feed \n feel \n fend \n fight \n file \n fill \n finance \n find \n finger \n fix \n flag \n flap \n flash \n flatten \n flaunt \n flay \n flee \n flick \n flinch \n fling \n flip \n flit \n float \n flog \n flounder \n flout \n flush \n fly \n fondle \n force \n formulate \n fornicate \n found \n fumble \n furnish \n gain \n gallop \n gather \n generate \n gesture \n get \n give \n gnaw \n gossip \n gouge \n grab \n grapple \n grasp \n greet \n grind \n grip \n gripe \n grope \n grow \n growl \n grunt \n guide \n gyrate \n hack \n hail \n hammer \n handle \n hang \n harass \n haul \n head \n help \n hesitate \n hide \n hijack \n hit \n hitch \n hobble \n hoist \n hold \n <\/td>\n hover | \n hug \n hurl \n hurtle \n hypothesize \n identify \n ignore \n illustrate \n imitate \n implement \n improve \n improvise \n inch \n increase \n indict \n induce \n inflict \n influence \n inform \n inject \n injure \n insert \n inspect \n inspire \n install \n instigate \n institute \n interchange \n interpret \n interview \n invade \n invent \n inventory \n investigate \n isolate \n jab \n jam \n jar \n jeer \n jerk \n jimmy \n jingle \n jolt \n judge \n jump \n keel \n kibitz \n kick \n kidnap \n kill \n kneel \n knife \n lash \n launch \n lead \n lean \n leap \n learn \n lecture \n left \n level \n lick \n limp \n listen \n log \n lunge \n lurch \n maim \n maintain \n make \n manage \n mangle \n manipulate \n march \n mark \n massage \n maul \n measure \n meddle \n mediate \n meet \n mentor \n mimic \n mingle \n mobilize \n mock \n model \n molest \n monitor \n motivate \n mourn \n move \n mumble \n murder \n muster \n mutilate \n nab \n nag \n nail \n needle \n negotiate \n nick \n nip \n observe \n obtain \n occupy \n offer \n officiate \n operate \n order \n organize \n oversee \n pack \n paddle \n page \n pander \n panic \n parachute \n parade \n paralyze \n park \n parry \n party \n pass \n pat \n patrol \n pause \n paw \n peel \n peep \n penetrate \n perceive<\/td>\n perform | \n persuade \n photograph \n pick \n picket \n pile \n pilot \n pin \n pinch \n pirate \n pitch \n placate \n plan \n play \n plod \n plow \n plunge \n pocket \n poke \n polish \n pore \n pose \n pounce \n pout \n pray \n predict \n preen \n prepare \n prescribe \n present \n presented \n preside \n primp \n print \n process \n prod \n produce \n program \n project \n promote \n prompt \n proofread \n propel \n protect \n provide \n provoke \n pry \n publicize \n pull \n pummel \n pump \n punch \n purchase \n pursue \n push \n question \n quit \n race \n raid \n raise \n rally \n ram \n ransack \n rape \n rattle \n ravage \n rave \n read \n realize \n receive \n recline \n recommend \n reconcile \n reconnoiter \n record \n recoup \n recruit \n redeem \n reduce \n reel \n refer \n regain \n rejoin \n relate \n relax \n relent \n render \n repair \n repel \n report \n represent \n repulse \n research \n resign \n resist \n resolve \n respond \n restore \n retaliate \n retreat \n retrieve \n reveal \n review \n ride \n rip \n rise \n risk \n rob \n rock \n roll \n rub \n run \n rush \n sail \n salute \n sap \n save \n saw \n scale \n scamper \n scan \n scare \n scatter \n scavenge \n schedule \n scold \n scoop \n scoot \n score \n scour \n scout \n scrape<\/td>\n scrawl | \n scream \n screw \n scrub \n scruff \n scuffle \n sculpt \n scuttle \n seal \n search \n seduce \n seize \n select \n sell \n sense \n serve \n set \n sever \n sew \n shake \n shanghai \n shape \n sharpen \n shave \n shear \n shell \n shield \n shift \n shiver \n shock \n shoot \n shorten \n shout \n shove \n shovel \n show \n shun \n shut \n sidestep \n sigh \n signal \n sip \n sit \n size \n skid \n skim \n skip \n skirt \n slacken \n slam \n slap \n slash \n slay \n slide \n slug \n smack \n smear \n smell \n smuggle \n snap \n snare \n snarl \n snatch \n snicker \n sniff \n snitch \n snoop \n snub \n snuff \n snuggle \n soak \n sock \n soil \n solve \n spear \n spell \n spike \n spin \n splatter \n splice \n split \n spot \n spray \n spread \n spring \n sprint \n spurn \n spy \n squeak \n stack \n stagger \n stamp \n stand \n start \n startle \n steal \n steer \n step \n stick \n stiffen \n stifle \n stomp \n stop \n strangle \n strap \n strike \n strip \n stroke \n struck \n stub \n study \n stuff \n stumble \n stun \n subdue \n submerge \n submit \n suck \n summarize \n summon \n supervise \n supply \n support \n surrender \n survey \n suspend \n swagger \n swallow \n swap \n sway \n swear \n swerve<\/td>\n swim | \n swing \n swipe \n switch \n synthesize \n systematize \n tackle \n take \n tap \n target \n taste \n taunt \n teach \n tear \n tease \n telephone \n terrorize \n test \n thrash \n thread \n threaten \n throw \n tickle \n tie \n tilt \n tip \n toss \n touch \n tout \n track \n train \n transcribe \n transfer \n translate \n trap \n tread \n treat \n trip \n trot \n trounce \n try \n tuck \n tug \n tumble \n turn \n tutor \n twist \n type \n understand \n undertake \n undo \n undress \n unfold \n unify \n unite \n untangle \n unwind \n update \n usher \n utilize \n vacate \n vanish \n vanquish \n vault \n vent \n violate \n wade \n walk \n wander \n ward \n watch \n wave \n wedge \n weed \n weigh \n whack \n whip \n whirl \n whistle \n wield \n wiggle \n withdraw \n work \n wreck \n wrench \n wrestle \n write \n yank \n yell \n yelp \n yield \n zap \n zip<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" What are action words, and why should you use them? Well, action verbs, like the list below, convey an action, they move your story forward, they make your characters do something. Action Verbs are more descriptive, they convey a situation, something the character does. 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