BE VERBS BE GONE

Be verbs: A simple step to improve your writing

is am are were was been being be

When possible, revise to remove “be” verbs.

Sometimes this requires you to rearrange your

sentence.

As a result, your sentence often becomes more active

and detailed.

Be verbs: A simple step to improve your writing

is am are were was been being be

Remember that NOUNS and VERBS

make writing powerful.

Focus on improving NOUNS and VERBS

Be verbs: A simple step to improve your writing

Change the be verb to a strong verb:

ExampleJill is afraid of the dark.Jill fears the dark.

Change the be verb to a strong verb and add more detail.Ex.

Jill is hungry.Jill craves a slice of peperoni pizza.

Be verbs: A simple step to improve your writing

Combine sentences to eliminate the be verb.

Ex. The bride was not happy. She threw down the ring and stomped out of the church.

The unhappy bride threw down the ring and stomped out of the church.

Be verbs: A simple step to improve your writing

Eliminate the entire sentence if it does not change the meaning. This happens a lot with sentences starting with “There are…” You can often remove this sentence entirely.

Leave the sentence alone if changing it makes the new meaning more complicated or different from intention.

Don’t try to change ALL “be” verbs but be very aware of them and change what you can.

Be verbs: A simple step to improve your writing

is am are were was been being be

Ex.There are many reasons for students to be in a sport. One of the best reasons is to learn teamwork which is an important skill in life.

Where are the be verbs in this passage?

Be verbs: A simple step to improve your writing

is am are were was been being be

Ex.There are many reasons for students to be in a sport. One of the best reasons is to learn teamwork which is an important skill in life.

Be verbs: A simple step to improve your writing

is am are were was been being be

Rewrite these lines to keep the same meaning but remove at least three of the “be” verbs.

Be verbs: A simple step to improve your writing

is am are were was been being be

Learning an important life skill like teamwork is one of the best reasons why students should join a sport.

Be verbs: A simple step to improve your writing

There are many reasons for students to be in a sport. One of the best reasons is to learn teamwork which is an important skill in life.

Learning important life skills like teamwork is one of the best reasons why students should join a sport.

Or

One of the best reasons for students to join a sport is to learn an important life skill like teamwork.

Be verbs: A simple step to improve your writing

BE awareof be verbs when you write,

but try to eliminate them when you revise.