In Use Active Verbs, I encouraged readers to reduce their reliance on the verb “to be” by making greater use of active verbs.1 In this note, I build upon that foundation by listing specific verbs that will help writers avoid particular constructions of this sort, and, in doing so, add power, grace, and meaning to their compositions.2
Expression to Avoid Expressions to Consider
is problematic presents problems, creates problems, leads to problems is equipped employs, wields, bears, carries is accused stands accused is light, heavy weighs, weighs in at is authorized, allowed rates is a success enjoyed success, met with success there is a shed there stands a shed
For Further Reading:
I recently learned that expressions created by combining an adjective with the verb “to be” are sometimes called copular constructions. However, lest I induce a giggle fit in the rare twelve year-old who discovers this article, I will refrain from using that designation.
In replacing a “to be plus adjective” expression with a vibrant verb, I writer will often need to provide additional information. Thus, rather than saying “the rock was heavy,” he will have to write, “the rock weighed a hundred pounds.”
Thanks for the reminder, Bruce!
Re: footnote 1 -- those same individuals went on to become plumbers, probably. Lots of now-provocative terminology employed to name parts, leaving 20-60 year old men cackling like their sense of humor never aged past 12.