Weak and Power Verbs in English
What are power verbs?
Power verbs are action words that have positive
meanings in English. When you use a power verb, you can communicate your
message more strongly and confidently than when using other verbs. This is
especially useful when you are applying for a job and want to appear as a
confident and competent candidate. Power verbs can also make your writing more
interesting and help prevent you from using the same words too many times.
The
following sentences are examples from the Work Experience section of a resume.
Notice the differences between the sentences.
Made new software for CNN
Company. → Made is a weaker verb.
Developed new software for CNN
Company. → Developed is a power verb. You sound more
confident and interesting using ‘developed’.
Where can I use power verbs?
Power verbs
are useful in many situations. They are especially great for resumes, job
interviews, and academic writing like essays.
Before you use a power verb…
- Make sure you understand the
exact meaning of the power verb you are going to use. You don’t want to
make a mistake with the word, especially on a resume.
- Look the word up in a
dictionary, search the internet for examples of sentences where it has
been used, and if possible, find someone to check your sentence to make
sure that you’ve used it correctly.
- Make sure you are comfortable
with the word before you use it.
Weak verbs to avoid: ☹
Here is a
list of verbs you should avoid on your resume where possible:
- did
- make
- use
- get
- look
- take
- keep
- have
- said
- told
- talk
- change
- start
- finish
GENERAL POWER VERB LIST
Here are some
better alternatives to common weak words.
Weak Word: DID
- act
- activate
- administer
- apply
- arrange
- carry out
- conduct
- execute
- facilitate
- handle
- perform
Weak Word: MAKE
- assemble
- compose
- create
- design
- develop
- devise
- engineer
- establish
- fashion
- formulate
- generate
- produce
- synthesize
Weak Word: FIX
- alleviate
- amended
- debugged
- detected
- diagnosed
- investigated
- remedied
- repaired
- revitalized
- solved
- synthesized
- streamline
Weak Word: SHOW
- demonstrate
- depict
- describe
- exhibit
- highlight
- illustrate
- portray
- represent
Weak Words: TALK, SPEAK, WRITE, COMMUNICATE
- addressed
- advocate
- briefed
- communicate
- composed
- convince
- consulted
- collaborate
- correspond
- disseminate
- edited
- educated
- explained
- highlight
- inform
- instruct
- interact
- negotiate
- present
- publicize
- report
- specify
- verify
- welcome
Weak Word: KEEP
- ensure
- maintain
- strengthen
Weak Word: USE
- operate
Weak Word: GET
- achieve
- obtain
- procure
Weak Word: CHANGE, MAKE SOMETHING BETTER, GET RESULTS
- accelerate
- accomplish
- achieve
- alter
- award
- attain
- convert
- decrease
- eliminate
- expand
- excel
- generate
- heighten
- improve
- increase
- minimize
- maximize
- receive
- recognize for (passive verb
= “is/was recognized for”)
- reduce
- transform
Weak Word: HELP
- aid
- assist
- bolster
- enhance
- enrich
- help
- provide
Weak Word: ADD
- compile
- strengthen
Weak Word: START
Initiat
Md. Nasir UddinGazi BA(honrs) Dept. of English Literature at CVC
Email:nasiruddin661995@gmail.com
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