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books, Overused Words, Strong vs Weak Words, Strong Words, Weak Verbs, Weak Words, writers, writing, Writing Advice, writing tips
“One of the most common stylistic mistakes aspiring writers make is to rely too much on the verb “to be.” ~ EssayForum.com
I wonder what Mr. Shakespeare would say. Isn’t his oft quote soliloquy, “To be, or not to be?”
When I read EssayForum.com’s page on avoiding the verb “to be,” I thought uh-oh. I dashed to my computer to do a quick search, and GUILTY AS CHARGED YOUR HONOR!
But how to fix this “common stylist mistake” was a puzzle. I couldn’t put my hands on concrete ways to avoid the verb “to be,” but found many sites and books with admonitions to keep away from the verb like it is an outbreak of e coli.
You will be getting some tips on the present tense of “to be” today, and the past tense form in the near future. I know you know this, but as a refresher on our new enemy “to be” in the present tense:
I am and I’m
He is and He’s
She is and She’s
It is and It’s
We are and We’re
They are and They’re
You are and You’re
~~~~~
I am making every effort to write well.
Good for you!
I make every effort to write just like Robin.
~~~~~
He feels Robin’s presence when he is writing.
Like a poltergeist?
Robin’s annoying voice rings in his head when he writes.
~~~~~
It is odd how often Robin edits her manuscript
Maybe the book is really bad.
Robin edits her manuscript freakishly often.
~~~~~
We are hoping Robin shares more tips on how to use strong vs. weak words.
Ask, and ye shall receive!
We hope Robin changes the theme of her posts to underwater basket weaving.
Robin Coyle 
So “We are the world” is weak? But it’s such a great song……….http://youtu.be/WkjIrKjqMi8
I think we can excuse “We are the World” Thanks for providing the link. I haven’t watched the video in years.
LMAO – Love that Sinatra quote at the end, so so funny! 🙂
Funny that you did a Sinatra post yesterday.
I know! 🙂 🙂 Great minds…!
Aaaarghhh!
I mean that in the sweetest way possible.
It you want to rough me up a bit, I understand. I spent ALL day yesterday working on the word I am posting about next. ALL DAY.
LOL, again. Thanks, Robin
What a pain I am, right?
No, I love your humour 😀
Phew!
I thought I made a great discovery using contractions. It did help my dialogue to be less formal. But I’ve been diluding myself. Thanks.
Well, contractions have their place, but I guess as the saying goes, “Everything in moderation.”
I’m going to send my editor a link to your blog 🙂
Yeah! But perhaps your editor will feel compelled to edit my posts. Won’t that be a blow to my ego.
I think you could teach her a thing or two…really!
You are too kind!
Thank, Robin. Another informative post. My biggest headache has been ‘to be’. I have new ammunition. Yay. Keep up the fabulous work.
“To be”s are a pain. They lurk everywhere!
Another great post. You’re turning us all into better writers one post at a time. Thanks!
Thank you again! It tickles me that we are learning together!
More great info! Thanks!
Thanks Judith!
Pingback: Strong vs Weak Words ~ Part 17 « Robin Coyle
Wow! I love learning where I am lacking in a certain area, and I appreciate you helping me become more aware of a laziness I’ve developed in relying on infinitives more than I should. lol Thanks so much. 🙂 You’re now on my reader.
http://benknotts.wordpress.com
Thanks Ben! That is great news. Not the part about you being lazy, but the part about finding my Strong vs. Weak series helpful.
I’m guilty of this all the time.
See!
BTW – ‘freakishly’. I was taught not to use adverbs if I can avoid them. Have you done a post on that yet?
I did do a post on adverbs and NOT using them. I used freakishly here because the word made me laugh.
Do you have a link? Just because I’m not supposed to use them, doesn’t mean I don’t 😉
It was a guest post at Corey M.P.’s blog here:
http://coreymp.wordpress.com/2012/04/23/my-first-guest-blogger/
And one of my early posts as a newbie:
https://robincoyle.wordpress.com/2012/02/06/beware-the-adverb/
Thanks for asking.
Thanks.
This is one of my peeves—the overuse of any form of “to be.” That, and using gerunds everywhere when the present tense would work just as well if not better.
I became a different writer when I learned about gerunds. Interesting that knowledge of “ing’s came from a one-hour talk on being a better business document writer.
Hi,
A great post, i just had to laugh at the sign ” Do Be Do Be Do” when I said it fast for some reason it reminded me of Scobby Dooby Doo, out of the cartoon. 😀
I love the idea of the backed weaving underwater, now that is very different.
Thanks Mags. The sign made me laugh too! Good ol’ Blue Eyes is back. Or, Scooby.
I killed many of these in Draft 2. Once I finish the revised scenes for Draft 3, I’ll again check for any that sneaked in. But I hope I’m learning not to overuse them in the first place!
I come to a screeching halt when I type a “to be” sentence. Thank goodness I hear it now as I write.
Mom, you are so funny!! I love you and your voice in your writing.
Thanks honey! Glad I made you smile. YOU make ME smile.
Oh no! You’ve given up the ‘to be’s’ for pesky adverbs and the horrid word ‘just’! *Gasp* What shall we do? When does the underwater basket weaving class begin?
Class begins next Tuesday. Bring your bathing suit and basket weaving materials.
Underwater basket weaving? That’s a thing now?
Yes. It is my new hobby.