Page 8 Active Verbs

Word Choices (Verbs)


Did you notice how the three sports poets used active verbs such as clung, whack, knocked, recoiled, hurtling, roars, dash, flash, and bounce in their songs?


How Can I Recognize a Verb?



Verbs in the past tense usually have (-ed) chortled or have an (-ing) added such as plucketing.

  • Does it matter whether plucketing is a real word or one that is made up?
Not really. A verb is recognized by its function in the sentence (action) and by its form (I plucket, s/he pluckets, we are plucketing).
Practice using interesting and original verbs in your poems.

Replace passive verbs such as is, are, were, seen, have, appear
with active verbs such as zig zag, sprint, hook, toss

By using clear, precise verbs you will avoid wordy, confusing lines.



Read to review verbs, read pages 280 and 290 of ResourceLines 7/8.



Show What You Know

In your downloaded assignment file for Lesson 1, complete Section 2.  Be sure to save your work.  


When you have completed all parts of Assignment 1,

  • be sure you have renamed your file (YOURNAME)la 8-3-1 
  • upload the completed assignment into the 3.1 Assignment file on the next page.
Check your Submission box in two to three days for your marked assignment with feedback from your teacher.