Some verbs just get too much airtime. You know the ones: verbs such as ‘get’ and ‘have’ that, in the English language at least, seem to represent anything and everything.
If you are looking for ways to polish your writing – simultaneously being able to make your words more interesting but being clearer and more articulate – then substituting a few well-known verbs for alternatives can be an effective approach to make.
Here are 10 verbs that can easily be replaced by something a little bit more descriptive to give your writing an added depth and quality of communication.
1) get
‘Get’ is one of those verbs in English that can seemingly represent anything. While in terms of spoken English that can be a fantastic flexibility, in written English is just seems a little bland.
That’s not to say that there are times when ‘get’ is perfectly acceptable to use in written English, but why not try and replace it with some of these options, depending on the context:
organize, purchase, avail, requisition, become
2) have
For ‘get’, read ‘have’. Stunningly flexible, but at the same time massively over-used. Be careful with context, but here are some nice alternatives:
possess, experience, enjoy, own, manage
3) say and tell
In creative writing, it is a good idea to avail of words known as ‘reporting verbs’. These verbs, for example ‘say’ or ‘tell’, are simply verbs that we used to report the words of others. However, unlike ‘say’ and ‘tell’, there are reporting verbs that can also articulate much more about the tone of voice and the feeling of the speaker. These options are therefore much more descriptive by far:
shout, yell, whisper, schmooze, prattle, garble
4) walk
Likewise, ‘walk’ is a very literal word, so doesn’t give you much detail about how the movement was achieved. These words can visually stir up something much more interesting and closer to the way the movement was performed:
skip, gallop, stroll, wander, stride, amble, saunter
5) eat
‘Eat’ is a very methodical word. We all ‘eat’, but that doesn’t really do justice to the way some people perform this action. Some consume their food delicately, while others are like a hungry wolf. In short, get more descriptive about this otherwise boring action with some of these alternatives:
gobble down, chomp, gulp, crunch, devour
6) look
Continuing on the theme of mechanical verbs that don’t communicate much at all other than the literal action, look is as boring as it gets. When someone looks at you, they do it in any number of ways: think about the first time you looked into the eyes of that special someone. Look? It just doesn’t do it justice, does it? Here are some alternatives:
Peer, gaze, gawp, stare, inspect, consider
7) win
Winning can be achieved in so many different ways, and the margin of the victory can be incredibly close, or not. That’s why win really doesn’t cover the actual manner of the victory. Here are some other words that can do that:
Conquer, destroy, upset, overwhelm, overcome
8) think
Think is a really generic verb that doesn’t capture the essence of how something can fill your mind for large parts of the day, or simply be something that stays and goes quicker than you sometimes even realize. These words are much better:
Ponder, struggle, wonder, consider, dwell
9) make
‘Make’ is well-known in English for being a verb that represents the creation or invention of something, and therefore becomes a catch-all. Reverting back to the original verbs is much more descriptive, so try to remember these:
design, create, engineer, invent, devise
10) do
‘Do’ is a word that has actually becoming the very representation of a generic verb. In English, it is actually used as a replacement for other verbs when the verb is obvious in context. Here’s an example:
‘Have you created a password yet?
‘I’ll do it later.”
Of course, there is a time and a place for using ‘do’ and avoiding unnecessary repetition, but in order to create more interesting written text, think about what the word ‘do’ actually signifies. Here are some examples:
complete, participate, involve, attend, engage
The Linguix writing tool instantly gives you a list of synonyms that you can choose from to make your written English that much more engaging. It’s just one of the many benefits that Linguix provides!
Quick tips for choosing stronger verbs
Pick verbs that do more than state an action: look for words that carry tone, pace, or sensory detail so a single verb can replace a phrase and sharpen the sentence.
Match the verb to the agent and context – a formal report, a novel, and casual email call for different levels of precision and energy.
When swapping verbs, read the sentence aloud to check rhythm and clarity; a vivid verb should enhance meaning, not distract from it.
- Prefer active verbs over passives to increase immediacy.
- Use sensory or manner verbs (e.g., whisper, clatter, saunter) to show how something happens.
- Avoid obscure substitutes that slow the reader; aim for natural collocations.
- Vary verbs across a paragraph to prevent monotony but keep core meanings consistent.
FAQ
When is it fine to keep a generic verb?
If the specific action isn’t important, or if the verb helps maintain a natural rhythm or idiomatic phrasing, a generic verb can be the clearest choice. Also keep them in dialogue where characters speak naturally.
How can I find better alternatives without sounding over-the-top?
Start by asking what extra information you want the verb to convey (speed, tone, force, emotion). Try simple, common alternatives first and swap only when they add that intended detail.
How do I avoid repeating the same strong verbs too often?
Rotate verbs with similar nuance, vary sentence structures, and use pronouns or nominal forms where repetition would be distracting. A quick pass through a paragraph to replace the second or third repeated verb is often enough.
