# Verb Finder

Verbs
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## How to use our Verb Finder

Our verb finder tool is very simple to use.

To begin, enter text into the text-box above. The verb count above the text-box will automatically display the count as you type!

There is a gray box that shows all the verbs that were found in your text in a comma separated list.

Also, the character count is displayed below the text-box.

And to copy the text, click the green "Copy Text" button.

## How to Use Verbs Effectively in Your Writing

The subject of this article indicated by its title may seem too simple to many readers. Most writers understand what verbs do and know that they're necessary to create valid sentences. Getting the most out of them, though, can be a bit more complicated.

Of all the basic parts of speech, verbs may have the most potential to add interest and impact to what you write. With that in mind, let's take a close look at what verbs are, how they work, how you can best use them to your advantage and why an online verb finder tool or verb detector can help your writing.

## Verbs by Definition

The classic answer to the question of what a verb is, is simple: an "action word." We use verbs to describe what the subject of or other object in a sentence does. While that's not wrong, it's more accurate to describe it as a "predicate" that provides information about the subject of a sentence or object of a clause.

In other words, a verb may convey something other than what we might comprehend as action.

In fact, there are eleven distinct types of verbs and each type plays a specific role. I'm not going to launch a crash course here, because it's not the purpose of this article.

If you feel your writing might benefit from the knowledge, I highly recommend doing some research via your favorite search engine. I will mention some specific verb types as they arise.

## Using Verbs as Something Else

One important thing to know is that verbs can actually be used as adverbs, adjectives or even nouns when combined with "to":

"George is the person to ask if you have a computer question." (adjective)

"She plays to win." (adverb)

"To forgive is divine." (noun)

These combinations are known as "infinitive verbs." By the way, watch out for the "double tap." Spell Check won't always catch a typo like, "plays too win" but your readers probably will.

## New Meaning

Combining verbs with prepositions can change the meaning of both. Here are a few well-known examples:

shut up shut down show off

These "phrasal verbs" are so commonly used in our writing and speech that we don't stop to consider the meanings of the separate words.

## Linking Verbs

These verbs, as the name implies, only connect (link) an object to something about that object. Many common linking verbs aren't usually recognized as verbs, because they (and their derivatives) never describe action. (are, were, be, seem, etc.)

Despite their "lack of action," these words play an important role in building sentences and they'll be found in almost anything we read. You probably use them in your writing instinctively.

Action verbs may also be used as linking verbs, so the list of possibilities is a long one.

## The Heart of the Matter

Now that we have just a few of those technical terms explained, let's get back to how the way you use verbs in what you write can affect a reader's comprehension, as well as the flow and tone of your piece. As with all other writing elements, the purpose of your writing will have some bearing on the verbs that you use and I'll touch on that as necessary.

## Choosing the Right Verb

One of the nice things about the English language is we tend to have lots of synonyms to choose from. That often means we can find a verb that conveys just the right image to our prospective audience. Consider this sentence:

"Steve and Barbara danced around the ballroom floor."

It's a complete sentence and even includes a nice adverbial phrase to give it some depth. If we wanted to paint a nicer image of the dancing, we could add an adjective:

"Steve and Barbara danced elegantly around the ballroom floor."

Not bad, but what if we really want that image to impress? Let's grab one of those synonyms:

"Steve and Barbara glided around the ballroom floor."

Now, we know that the couple isn't gliding, unless there's a parasail involved and that's unlikely. Thanks to that word, however, our readers can now envision Steve and Barbara moving as if they're walking on air.

On the other hand, if they're drunk, they might "stagger" or "stumble." If they're a geriatric couple, they might "rattle." Okay, maybe that last one is a bit extreme, but you get the picture, and getting the picture is the point. Find a verb that projects the image you want.

Of course, if you were writing this sentence as part of something more technical, Not only would "danced" be adequate, but "around the ballroom floor" might even be unnecessary.

Note: When choosing synonyms, try to avoid vague matches or unusual words. If your reader has to look it up in the dictionary, you're not going to score any points.

## Watch the Tense

It's important to match the tense of the verbs to your narrative. In our example above, it's clear that the dancing has already happened. If the story was being written from the present perspective, "dance" or "glide" would be the correct verbs to use.

Elementary? Yes, but switching tense is one of the most common mistakes editors encounter. In a story, it's jarring. In a technical piece, it can lead to misinterpretation.

## Overuse of Verbs

Unlike adverbs and adjectives, verbs are critical to the structure of a sentence, so you'll need a lot of them when writing. That doesn't mean it's impossible to use too many. It's more common, however, to overuse verb types, rather than verbs in general.

Since it is possible to overuse them, a verb counter tool like this one can be helful in indentifying verbs to remove.

Verb phrases can be as tiresome as any other cliche. Too many infinitives can "bog down" the flow of an otherwise good narrative, especially when used as a noun. Any good writing mechanism starts to look like a gimmick if a reader encounters it too often.

## It's All About the Reader

Whatever you're writing, keep your audience in mind. Your main goals should always be dynamics and readability. Verbs provide a good portion of the dynamics. How effectively you use them directly affects readability.

## Thanks for using our verb finder in text tool!

We hope you enjoyed our online verb finder tool. It's a helpful tool in indentifying and counting verbs. Whether you need a verb finder in a sentence, or a verb finder in multiple pages of text, we have you covered.