Which one of the two sentences below would you prefer to read or hear spoken?

1. He is not a punctual person.

2. He rarely shows up on time.

Chances are you picked number two because it conveys the idea in a livelier way.

Words are like arrows that carry meaning to readers (and listeners too) says Elizabeth Danziger, author of Get To The Point: Painless Advice for Writing Memos, Letters and E-Mails. And solid, razor sharp arrows are more likely to pierce the target than those that are flimsy and dull.

Verbs are the most dynamic words. They can help readers and listeners “see” the point. They can also add colour and increase the persuasiveness of your message. For all of those reasons, you should aim to use the strongest ones you can. Too often, however, writers make weak choices. Their quivers bulge with the verbs to be, have and do. These are linking verbs that provide general information. By taking a bit more time to rummage through your vocabulary, you can often come up with sharper alternatives.

As you write, get into the habit of asking yourself: can I make more precise word choices? When you finish a draft, read it through just once to check your verbs. Every time you come across a variation of to be, have and do, mark it with a highlighter. Then, see if you can swap in some zestier language.

You won’t be able to eliminate all of the connector verbs in your writing. Nor should you try, because they do serve a useful function. However, by replacing some of them with more dynamic verbs, you will make your writing far more precise and appealing to the final consumer.