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How to Decrease the Number of To Be Verbs in Your Writing

"To be" verbs -- "is," "am," "are," "was," "were," "be," "being" and "been" -- weaken your writing if used too frequently. The English language uses the subject-verb-object structure as a basic model for sentences. These verbs, also called linking verbs, constitute passive voice, which writers and editors consider weaker than lean sentences and active voice. By paying careful attention to word choice, you can trim the number of linking verbs that appear in your writing.

Instructions

    • 1

      Locate and underline or highlight linking verbs in your writing.

    • 2

      Replace the linking verb with an appropriate action verb when possible. For example, you can rewrite the sentence "The book was critiqued," as "The book received a critique."

    • 3

      Ask the question "By what or by whom?" when you encounter a "to be" verb phrase or sentence structure. For example, "The door was closed," begs the question "Who closed the door?" Answer this question by rephrasing the sentence and adding the relevant information: "John closed the door," or simplify to "The door closed." Only leave the linking verb and passive structure if you don't know the answers to these questions.

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