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Thread: How to eliminate "to be" verbs in my writing

  1. #1
    Roberta Gallant's Avatar
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    Post How to eliminate "to be" verbs in my writing

    I need help with weak verbs. In my writing, how do I eliminate "to be" verbs?
    You should give me a huge list of sentence samples with vivid verbs in them.

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    Default Re: How to eliminate "to be" verbs in my writing

    I don't agree that you should eliminate them. Try eliminating adverbs, like Garcia Marquez. That sounds way cooler.

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    Default Re: How to eliminate "to be" verbs in my writing

    Quote Originally Posted by Roberta Gallant View Post
    I need help with weak verbs. In my writing, how do I eliminate "to be" verbs?

    Please give us an example of your writing containing plenty of "to be" verbs and we can suggest some alternatives.


    You should give me a huge list of sentence samples with vivid verbs in them.

    Oh, we should, should we?!
    emsr2d2
    Raymott and 5jj like this.

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    Roberta Gallant's Avatar
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    Default Re: How to eliminate "to be" verbs in my writing

    For examples: Sandra is taller that I am.
    Sandra seven-food body overlooks me.

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    Default Re: How to eliminate "to be" verbs in my writing

    I do not agree with you, either.

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    emsr2d2 is offline VIP Member
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    Default Re: How to eliminate "to be" verbs in my writing

    Quote Originally Posted by Roberta Gallant View Post

    For examples: Sandra is taller that I am.
    Sandra is taller than I [am].

    Sandra seven-food body overlooks me.
    I'm really not sure but I'm going to guess that this was meant to read "Sandra's seven-foot body overlooks me".
    If so, I would change it to something like "At seven feet tall, Sandra towers over me".

    See above.

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    Default Re: How to eliminate "to be" verbs in my writing

    And it didn't have any "to be" at all.... it takes all kinds...
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    Default Re: How to eliminate "to be" verbs in my writing

    Quote Originally Posted by konungursvia View Post
    And it didn't have any "to be" at all.... it takes all kinds...
    Well, it had "Sandra is..." in the original sentence. I think sentence 2 was meant to be the OP's example of how to say it without "to be" (from "Sandra is taller than me" to "Sandra towers over me") but I was confused too as I thought it was meant to be two "to be" sentences for changing.

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