Other Words for Common Verbs: How to Improve Writing Skills

January 25, 2025 Sara

Teachers often notice that students get stuck in a writing rut where their sentences echo with the same repetitive verbs. Words like “said,” “went,” or “looked” tend to dominate their writing, making it feel flat and uninspired. The good news is that language is rich with possibilities, and teaching students to swap these everyday verbs for more precise or vivid alternatives can breathe life into their writing. Learning alternative words for common verbs is an essential step in teaching students how to improve writing skills and make their work more engaging.

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This guide focuses on how educators can help students expand their verb vocabulary and improve their writing skills by using other words for common verbs.

Whe Should Students Use Varied Verbs?

Verbs are the powerhouse of sentences. They give action, movement, and dynamism to ideas. Teaching students to use more specific or descriptive verbs can:

Add precision: The right verb conveys exactly what they mean.
Engage readers: Vibrant verbs create vivid imagery.
Improve tone: Certain verbs can adjust the mood or style of their writing.

By introducing students to other words for common verbs, educators empower them to express themselves more clearly and creatively while honing their writing skills.

Let’s break it down by looking at some common verbs students overuse and their alternatives.

1. Other Words for "Said"

Dialogue tags can get monotonous if students only use “said.” Teach them these expressive alternatives:

Neutral: Stated, replied, remarked, added.
Emotive: Whispered, exclaimed, muttered, shouted, sighed.
Action-focused: Interjected, argued, demanded, declared.

For example:

Instead of: “I’m tired,” she said.
Try: “I’m tired,” she muttered, her voice barely audible.

Encouraging students to explore alternative words for common verbs like “said” helps them create more dynamic and engaging dialogue.

2. Other Words for "Went"

“Went” is a placeholder verb that can often be replaced with something more descriptive:

Walking verbs: Strolled, marched, sauntered, shuffled.
Running verbs: Darted, dashed, sprinted, bolted.
Other movements: Glided, skipped, crept, trudged.

For example:

Instead of: She went to the door.
Try: She trudged to the door, her shoulders slumping with exhaustion.

3. Other Words for "Looked"

“Looked” can sometimes feel passive. Help students replace it with verbs that convey how someone is observing:

Quick glances: Peeked, glanced, glimpsed, scanned.
Focused looks: Studied, examined, observed, inspected.
Emotional observation: Gawked, gaped, glared, stared.

For example:

Instead of: He looked at the painting.
Try: He studied the painting, his eyes tracing every intricate detail.

Using alternative words for common verbs like “looked” allows students to craft sentences that are more vivid and descriptive.

4. Other Words for "Got"

“Got” is another overused verb that can usually be replaced with something more precise:

Received: Acquired, obtained, earned, collected.
Became: Turned, grew, transformed.
Understood: Grasped, comprehended, realized.

For example:

Instead of: She got a new job.
Try: She landed a new job after months of tireless effort.

Teaching students to replace “got” with alternative words for common verbs enhances clarity and precision in their writing.

5. Other Words for "Walked"

“Walked” is perfectly fine, but students can use more specific verbs to enhance their descriptions:

Casual walking: Ambled, wandered, strolled, sauntered.
Purposeful walking: Marched, strode, paced, patrolled.
Struggled walking: Limped, staggered, shuffled, stumbled.

For example:

Instead of: He walked to the store.
Try: He strolled to the store, savoring the crisp morning air.

This approach to teaching alternative words for common verbs shows students how to improve their descriptive writing skills.

6. Other Words for "Thought"

“Thought” can sometimes be replaced with verbs that reveal a student’s character’s mental processes more vividly:

Internal reflection: Considered, pondered, contemplated, reflected.
Quick thoughts: Realized, guessed, assumed, imagined.
Emotional thoughts: Dreaded, hoped, feared, suspected.

For example:

Instead of: She thought about her childhood.
Try: She reflected on her childhood, memories flooding back like an old film reel.

Introducing alternative words for common verbs like “thought” helps students bring more depth to their character’s internal dialogue.

Helpful Tools for Students to Expand Their Vocabulary

If students are ready to dive deeper into richer writing, consider incorporating these tools into the classroom:

Thesauruses and Dictionaries: Classics like Roget’s Thesaurus or Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Thesaurus, Newest Edition (Hardcover) are invaluable for teaching students to search for the perfect word.

Writing Reference Books: Essential reads like The Elements of Style by Strunk and White and The Elements of Style Workbook: Writing Strategies with Grammar Book offer a guided practice approach for improving writing skills, On Writing Well by William Zinsser, or Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis can enhance their vocabulary and improve their writing skills.

These resources focus on helping students learn alternative words for common verbs and strengthen their grasp of language. These are affiliate links, if you click on them you support this blog by giving me a small commission with no extra cost to you.

Practical Tips for Teaching Students to Use Varied Verbs

Read Widely: Encourage students to pay attention to how verbs are used in books, articles, and even scripts.
Use a Thesaurus Wisely: Teach students how to use a thesaurus but remind them to ensure the verb fits the tone and meaning.
Don’t Overdo It: Using overly complex verbs can make writing feel forced. Balance is key.
Context Matters: Help students choose verbs that align with the characters, setting, and tone of their writing.

Challenge for Students: Upgrade Verbs

Ask students to take a piece of their own writing and highlight all the verbs. Then, challenge them to replace at least five with richer, more precise alternatives. They’ll be amazed at how much more dynamic their sentences become!

Varied verbs aren’t just about sounding fancy; they’re about making writing more engaging, clear, and memorable. By expanding their verb repertoire and learning how to improve writing skills through the use of alternative words for common verbs, students can grow as writers and invite readers to immerse themselves in the worlds they create.

So, what are your students’ favorite alternative verbs? Share them in the comments below—I’d love to hear their ideas!