You employ action words whenever you write about an activity that has already occurred, is currently occurring, or will soon occur.
Definition
You may have heard these phrases said by film directors, but how does this relate to English grammar? We want action words when there is a call to action. As you may have guessed, action words are verbs—words that describe activities. As opposed to these, non-action words—also known as non-action verbs—are words that represent a state of being, a need, an opinion, or a sense. For instance:
I exercised yesterday.
I've started running.
Tomorrow I'm going to run.
Types
There are different formats and types of actions words, and it's also important to know how to use verb tenses with them properly. So, let's go over some important details to keep in mind.
Action verbs are words that describe actions, while non-action verbs are words that refer to a state of being, a need, an opinion, or a sense. Look at some examples of these two types of verbs in relation to one another. Some examples of action verbs include:
Play
Jump
Eat
Work
Study
Drive
Walk
Write
Read
Talk
When using action verbs in writing, describe actions and movement. Here are some examples of these words in sentences:
I am playing basketball with my friends.
They were talking way too fast.
He drove so far for that concert!
Some examples of non-action verbs include:
Am
Is
Are
Believe
Hear
Understand
Own
Seem
Love
Remember
When using non-action verbs in writing, describe feelings and states of being rather than actions and movement. Here are some examples of their use in sentences:
I understand the point of the story.
She seems nice.
Do you remember me?
Conclusion
There are so many words for common actions. For example, we have "run," "jog," "sprint," "walk," and "stroll." Each of these words implies a different level of intensity or effort.
When it comes to running, we might "jog" for exercise, or "sprint" if we're in a hurry or trying to catch something. "Walking" is usually a slower, more leisurely pace, while "strolling" is even more relaxed.
These are just a few examples, but there are many more words for common actions. Next time you're looking for the perfect word, consider the connotations and implications of each one. The right word can make all the difference in your writing! You can also download our app from the playstore or visit our website.
