When a simple Google Search returns thousands of information sources, successful businesses know they need to create quality business writing in order to show up in the search engines. Do you know how to build quality content program?
Perhaps the first step is to follow this advice from Ernest Hemingway: “… the simpler the better. But do not start to think so damned simply. Know how complicated it is and then state it simply.”
Next, try these five verb tips to simplify your business writing.
- Remember that without verbs, sentences go nowhere.
- Be sure verbs and nouns match. For example: I (singular noun) are (plural verb) going to the store. This doesn’t work because a singular noun needs a singular verb. So the correct sentence is I am (singular verb) going to the store.
- Nouns and verbs give writing color and power. When possible, rely on them and not their assistants – adjectives and adverbs.
- Active verbs engage readers while passive verbs slow the reader with extra words. Take the time to find power verbs to replace being verbs.
- Verbs lose strength when turned into nouns as shown in the examples below.
- We agreed (v) is better than we reached an agreement (n).
- He concluded (v) the meeting is better than he brought the meeting to a conclusion (n).
- The teacher explained (v) the lesson vs. The teacher gave an explanation of the lesson.
- John ordered (v) the pizza vs. John placed an order (n) for a pizza.
- My husband suggested (v) we go to a movie vs. my husband made the suggestion (n) that we go to a movie.
When your goal is to hold readers’ attention and make your content easy to understand, remember simple is better. What grammar tools do you use to simplify your business writing?
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