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Home > Describing Phenomena with Active Verbs
Describing Phenomena with Active VerbsWhich do you preferthe phrase to cut or split something into two theoretically and essentially equal parts,
or the simple verb bisect? Which is easier to write and to readthe phrase unite into what is essentially
one body, or the simple verb coalesce? As you explain scientific phenomena, your readers will be highly
pleased with you if you offer them lively, exact, direct, robust, vibrant, single-word verbs. Furthermore, your
writing will be less wordy and more clear. However, many writers are tempted in the other direction. Trying
to sound impressive, some would write The device is prone to the submission of one pulse every 12
seconds instead of the much simpler and more accurate The device transmits one pulse every 12 seconds.
Always beware of overcomplicating your verbs, and remember that their function is to describe actively andefficiently.
Many verbs are used continually in one field but rarely in another, so it is essential that you become familiar
with those verbs that are standard vocabulary in your field. The verb induce, which means to produce an
electric current or magnetic effect by induction, should be standard vocabulary for someone in physics or
electrical engineering, while the verb sinter, which means to weld without melting, should be familiar and
useful to those in metallurgy (it also doubles as a noun in geology).
Plenty of meaningful single-word verbs are out there just waiting for you to use them. One easy way to
choose the best verb is to consult the brief (and certainly not exhaustive) list that follows to search for thekinds of active verbs that the best writers choose. The verbs are organized randomly to stress that they are
not interchangeable nor to be used arbitrarily. Even though the exact verb that you need to describe a
phenomenon may not be on this list, the verbs on the list do suggest the kind of verbs that you should choose.
Many students tell me they turn to this list as they write a paper just to keep their minds tuned-in to using
single-word active verbs. For efficiency, accuracy, and your own credibility as a technical writer, always aim
for the best and simplest verb. If you are unsure of a verbs exact meaning, be sure to look it up.
A Short List of Active Verbs That Describe Phenomena
discharge
exchange
emit
exude
converge
contract
continue
bond
encompass
deposit
overlie
separate
transmit
interact
extend
trend
mix
interlock
access
underlie
emanate
surround
carry
behave
constrain
plunge
slow
fuse
traverse
overlap
radiate
combine
bombard
exchange
force
occur
quicken
deteriorate
join
originate
scatter
eliminate
exert
absorb
elongate
fracture
produce
migrate
dominate
isolate
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invade
reclaim
precede
orient
activate
condense
link
appearsuperpose
disperse
accelerate
permeate
restore
influence
distribute
cease
enrich
superimpose
requirecrystallize
disseminate
transfer
evolve
abandon
saturate
allow
record
invert
rotate
ascendbisect
disintegrate
penetrate
divide
contain
circulate
lag
form
convert
rupture
descendcede
propel
halt
sinter
accrue
forecast
terminate
transect
alter
streamline
collapsecoalesce
repel
curb
Author: Joe Schall, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University.
This courseware module is part of Penn State's College of Earth and Mineral Sciences' OER Initiative.Except where otherwise noted, content on this site is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-
NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
Please address questions and comments about this open educational resource to the site editor.
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