Effective Technical Writing in the Information Age

Describing Phenomena with Active Verbs

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Which do you prefer—the 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 read—the 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 and efficiently.

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 the kinds 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 verb’s 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
invade
reclaim
precede
orient
activate
condense
link
appear
superpose
disperse
accelerate
overlie
separate
transmit
interact
extend
trend
mix
interlock
access
underlie
permeate
restore
influence
distribute
cease
enrich
superimpose
require
crystallize
disseminate
transfer
emanate
surround
carry
behave
constrain
plunge
slow
fuse
traverse
overlap
evolve
abandon
saturate
allow
record
invert
rotate
ascend
bisect
disintegrate
penetrate
radiate
combine
bombard
exchange
force
occur
quicken
deteriorate
join
originate
divide
contain
circulate
lag
form
convert
rupture
descend
cede
propel
halt
scatter
eliminate
exert
absorb
elongate
fracture
produce
migrate
dominate
isolate
sinter
accrue
forecast
terminate
transect
alter
streamline
collapse
coalesce
repel
curb