[Material 2]

Strong Verbs: the Nucleus of a Sentence

‘Verb’ is by far the most important element of the sentence. Verbs energize sentences. A smart verb
makes a sentence smart whereas a weak verb makes it weak. Strong verbs directly connect the actor to the
action in a sentence and express meaning without the aid of other words. Strong verbs are usually
expressive, direct, active, specific, and concise. They supply energy and make sentence clear, and lively,
and create instant images in the reader’s mind. These also make sentences efficient by cutting fat in a
sentence. An example of a strong verb:

I love her

Here the verb ‘love’ is a strong verb and the meaning of the sentence is clear and straight. The emotion is
powerfully expressed.

On the other hand, weak verbs make sentences weak. Weak verbs are also called ‘Light verbs’. Some of
the ‘weak’ or ‘light’ verbs are back, bear, bring, call, carry, catch, come, do, drop, fall, get, give, go,
look, make, put, run, see, set, take, turn, put,
All ‘be’ verbs such as am, is, are, was, were, have, has, had, can, could etc. also fall in the category of
weak verbs. An example of weak verb is:

I am in love with her

Here the verb am is a ‘weak’ verb. The weak verb also makes the sentence weak and makes the meaning
vague. The first sentence contains 3 words but the second one contains 6 words. That means weak verbs
make sentences wordy- using many words unnecessarily.

Strong verbs are those that give a clear picture or vivid impression of actions. Each weak and vague
sentence is followed by a vivid and lively sentence:

1. Light goes faster than sound.

 Light travels faster than sound.
2. He said he was totally unwilling to discuss to matter.
 He flatly refused to discuss the matter.
3. The crisis is becoming gradually deep.
 The crisis is deepening gradually.
4. He said that there is danger ahead.
 He warned against possible danger.
5. I really feel good about your enthusiasm.
 I really admire your enthusiasm.
6. Nazrul expressed his angry protest against social injustice.
 Nazrul rebelled against social injustice.
7. In barb and wit Churchill had no equal.
 None equaled Churchill in barb and wit.
8. Taslima Nasrin was criticized for saying bad things about the Holy Quaran.
 Taslima Nasrin was criticized for reviling the Holy Quaran.
9. The police decided to make the secret open.
 The police decided to reveal the secret.
10. Job loss will make the situation complex.
 Job loss will complicate the situation.
11. Mary said opposite of what her mother said.
 Mary contradicted her mother.
12. Jenny had passion for Nick but Nick did not show any passion in return.
 Jenny’s passion for Nick was not reciprocated.
13. The plane fell from sky and all passengers were killed.
 The plane crashed and all passengers were killed.
14. She goes to work on foot.
 She walks to work.
15. When you meet your father please tell about me to him.
 Please remember me to your father.
16. He is saying things against the authorities again and again.
  He is complaining against the authorities again and again.
17. He said that the opinion polls were worthless.
 He dismissed the opinion polls as worthless.
18. I have rarely seen her make a show of emotion.
 I have rarely seen her display emotion.
19. I will try to make him agree.
 I will try to convince him.
20. Credit cards make it unnecessary to carry cash.
 Credit cards eliminate the necessity to carry cash.
21. The two men managed to be away from the police for six weeks.
 The two men managed to elude/evade the police for six weeks.
22. He died slowly as he bled.
 He slowly bled to death.
23. How will these changes make problems/create disadvantage for us?
 How will these changes affect us?
24. The captain knew there was an engine fault but didn’t want to make passengers anxious.
 The captain knew there was an engine fault but didn’t want to alarm the
passengers.
25. Hearing an unexpected noise downstairs, he sat up and turned on the light.
 Alerted by a noise downstairs, he sat up and turned on the light.
26. The design has to be interesting to all ages and social groups
 The design has to appeal to all ages and social groups
27. I told my mother I wanted to leave school but she did not give her nod.
 I told my mother I wanted to leave school but she did not approve.
28. He had a desire to be their next leader.
 He aspired be their next leader.
29. The judges gave both finalists equal points.
 The judges awarded equal points to both finalists.
30. This year’s profit will make up our previous losses.
 This year’s profit will compensate our previous losses.
31. I don’t think he will jump from the rooftop. I think this is just his trick.
 I don’t think he will jump from the rooftop. I think he’s just bluffing.
32. He asked for political asylum.
 He claimed political asylum.
33. Exposure to the sun can make ageing process faster.
 Exposure to the sun can accelerate ageing process.
34. The teacher said that her English was excellent.
 The teacher complimented on her excellent English.
35. They were unwilling to give concession to the terrorists.
 They were unwilling to compromise with the terrorists.
36. The course allows students to make improvement at their own speed.
 The course allows students to progress at their own speed.
37. His speech was the reason of an angry outburst from a man in the crowd. (prompt)
 His speech prompted an angry outburst from a man in the crowd.
38. The demonstrators fell silent when the police arrived.
 The demonstrators quieted down when the police arrived.
39. It was hard to make adjustment of his career ambitions with the need of his children.
 It was hard to balance his career ambitions with the need of his children.
40. Giving up smoking makes the risk of heart disease low.
 Giving up smoking reduces the risk of heart disease.
41. When the sun’s rays hit the earth, a lot of heat is returned back into space.
 When the sun’s rays hit the earth, a lot of heat is reflected back into space.
42. Don’t attract thieves by leaving valuables clearly visible.
 Don’t tempt thieves by leaving valuables clearly visible.
43. Doubts began to be obvious.
 Doubts began to surface.
44. The police suddenly attacked the building and captured the gunman
 The police stormed the building and captured the gunman.
45. That one mistake was the cause of his losing chance of getting the job.
  That one mistake ruined his chances of getting the job.
46. The news of Princess Diana’s death was shocking to the world.
 The news of Princess Diana’s death rocked the world.
47. The pain became less slowly.
 The pain slowly eased.
48. He needs to learn how to control his temper.
 He needs to learn to curb his temper.
49. He said and the secretary wrote the letter.
 He dictated the letter to the secretary.
50. If you request I will comply, but if you order I will refuse to obey.
 If you request I will comply, but if you order I will defy.

Exercise

 Fill in the gaps with words given below

crack, collect, wear, skirt, take, square, telling, happy, frame, make, trying, curious, drained, difference

1. What’s your …………. on the matter?

2. The sofa is beginning to ……….

3. The first thing a country needs to do is to …………….a constitution

4. The police is determined to ……..the drug ring.

5. What …….. of car do you drive?

6. He speaks with a ………. mix of Bangla and English.

7. Your statement does not …………..with the evidence.

8. 7 March speech had a ….. effect on our liberation war..

9. Your opinion will not make a …..

10. During Covid the poor people are going through a ……time

11. He was clever enough to …..the embarrassing issue.

12. All the colour………. from his face when I told him the news

13. The word does not seem ……….. here.

14. She paused to ………her thoughts before entering the interview room.

15. .What’s your …………. on the matter?