Another one for the [[Writing Tips Wallet]]
By [[Alice Lemee]] on LinkedIn.
Another day, another simple trick that'll elevate your writing. (By like...a lot.)
Use subordinate action verbs.
An fMRI study looked at three types of verbs:
1. Basic action verbs - general actions (clean).
2. Subordinate action verbs - specific actions *with* clear movement (wipe).
3. Abstract verbs - non-motor words (think or wonder).
Researchers found subordinate action verbs lit up the brain like a 🎄.
Which makes sense, right?
"Sally cleaned the living room" isn't as strong as "Sally wiped the greasy floor."
Use verbs that elicit a particular physical movement:
• Fight ➜ Clawed
• Drank ➜ Sipped
• Ate ➜ Scarfed
• Take ➜ Scoop
When writing, ask yourself: Can I swap this verb for a particular physical action?
The richer and more specific, the more your reader's eyeballs will stay glued to the screen.
(Notice how I didn't say focus? 👁️)