Verbs

These verbs will be especially effective WHEN THE SUBJECT IS A CHARACTER. They are excellent REPLACEMENTS FOR
“BE” VERBS and instrumental in the formulation of THESIS and THEME statements. Careful use of these verbs can result in
precise identification of CHARACTERIZATION. Follow your teacher’s directions to categorize the verbs as POSITIVE,
NEGATIVE, or NEUTRAL.

Verbs for Literary Analysis

accentuates accepts achieves adopts advocates
affects alleviates allows alludes alters
analyzes approaches argues ascertains assesses
assumes attacks attempts attributes avoids
bases believes challenges changes characterizes
chooses chronicles claims comments compares
compels completes concerns concludes condescends
conducts conforms confronts considers contends
contests contrasts contributes conveys convinces
defines defies demonstrates depicts disappoints
discovers discusses displays disputes disrupts
distinguishes distorts downplays dramatizes elevates
elicits emphasizes encounters enhances enriches
enumerates envisions evokes excludes expands
experiences explains expresses extends extrapolates
fantasizes focuses forces foreshadows functions
generalizes guides heightens highlights hints
holds honors identifies illustrates illuminates
imagines impels implies includes indicates
infers inspires intends interprets interrupts
inundates justifies juxtaposes lambasts laments
lampoons lists maintains makes manages
manipulates minimizes moralizes muses notes
observes opposes organizes overstates outlines
patronizes performs permits personifies persuades
ponders portrays postulates prepares presents
presumes produces projects promotes proposes
provides qualifies questions rationalizes reasons
recalls recites recollects records recounts
reflects refers regards regrets rejects
represents results reveals ridicules satirizes
seems sees selects specifies speculates
states strives suggests summarizes supplies
supports suppresses symbolizes sympathizes traces
understands vacillates values verifies

Verbs to Use Instead of “Exemplifies” or “Shows”

appears asserts attests to certifies confirms
connotes corroborates defines demonstrates denotes
depicts discloses elucidates endorses establishes
evinces exhibits expounds exposes intimates
manifests points to proves ratifies relates
substantiates suggests typifies upholds validates
illustrates explains represents indicates displays
explains delineates reveals verifies

Above verb lists adapted from Liz Davis’ “Yellow Pages”

Verbs to Use Instead of “Says”
In an ACCUSING or ARGUMENTATIVE way:
abjures admonishes alleges argues assumes
baits belittles condescends criticizes challenges
charges chides counters disagrees examines
jeers justifies objects scorns taunts
In an AGREEABLE way
acquiesces acknowledges advocates affirms agrees
appeases approves assents bargains campaigns
compliments concurs consents praises promotes
In an ANGRY way
accuses crabs curses blurts explodes
fumes hisses jeers miffs rages
retorts roars scolds seethes snaps
sneers storms thunders
In an ANIMATED way
blurts chokes coughs croaks disrupts
drawls dribbles echoes exaggerates gags
In a BEGGING way
appeals cajoles coaxes craves begs
beseeches besieges bemoans entreats expiates
implores nags pleads repents urges
In a BOSSY way
argues bosses barks commands demands
dictates directs insists instructs lectures
nags preaches professes orders
In a CAUTIOUS way
admonishes cautions exhorts foretells warns
In a CLUMSY way
blusters babbles jabbers sputters stammers
In a DEFEATED way
admits concedes confesses
In a DIRECT way
advises articulates asserts assures attests
avouches avows blurts bargains communicates
confirms contests contributes counsels discloses
divulges elaborates emphasizes enumerates enunciates
exposes expresses notifies pronounces
In a DISAGREEING way
argues complains contests contradicts counters
chides debates defends denies denounces
In an EXCITED way
cries gloats enthuses exclaims squeals
In a FRIGHTENED way
cautions cowers falters quakes quivers
shivers stammers shudders trembles
In a HAPPY way
cackles coos cheers chirps chortles
chuckles giggles grins jokes laughs
lilts rejoices sings squeals twitters
In an INDIRECT way
allows alludes announces averts equivocates
estimates foretells hints implies indicates
insinuates lies
In a LIGHTHEARTED way
banters cracks chants gags chats
chortles quacks snickers teases warbles
In a LOUD way
booms bellows blasts crows exclaims
explodes resounds reverberates roars rumbles
screams shouts shrieks thunders yells
In a PAINED way
barks bawls bellows cries cringes
gasps grieves grimaces groans grunts
howls moans roars shrieks wails
whimpers winces yelps
In a QUIET way
breathes confides gasps intimates mumbles
murmurs mutters whispers
In a SAD way
agonizes bawls blubbers cries groans
laments moans mourns sobs snivels
wails weeps
In an UNDERSTANDING way
accepts agrees assuages comforts consoles
empathizes encourages soothes sympathizes
As an ANSWER
answers acknowledges addresses explains recalls
rejoins reminisces replies responds retorts
As a QUESTION
asks appeals challenges cross-examines demands
enjoins examines grills inquires interrogates
proposes propositions queries questions quizzes
requests requisitions scrutinizes
NOT SURE? Here’s a few more basic replacements for “SAYS”
adds announces articulates asserts attests
avows calls certifies cites claims
clarifies certifies comments continues concludes
declares describes discloses discusses elucidates
enumerates enunciates explains expounds expresses
insists informs maintains mentions narrates
notifies observes presents proclaims recites
recounts relates remarks repeats reports
restates reveals states stresses suggests
testifies utters vouches vows

NOTE:
Don’t stop here. There are many more ways to spice up your writing.
For example, use adverbs to further describe HOW a character SAYS his or her dialog.

BORING: Joey says, “Well, I thought it sounded good.”

BETTER: Joey mumbles, “Well, I thought it sounded good.”
EXCITING: Joey sheepishly mumbles, “Well, I thought it sounded good.”
 ADJECTIVES
For Use in Literary Discussion

Describing Style/Content
lucid graphic intelligible explicit precise
exact concise succinct condensed pithy
piquant aphoristic syllogistic allusive metaphorical
poetic prosaic plain simple homespun
pure vigorous forceful eloquent sonorous
fluent glib natural restrained smooth
polished classical artistic bombastic extravagant
rhetorical turgid pompous grandiose obscure
vague diffuse verbose pedantic ponderous
ungraceful harsh abrupt labored awkward
unpolished crude vulgar formal artificial
utilitarian humanistic pragmatic naturalistic impressionistic
subjective melodramatic fanciful authentic plausible
credible recondite controversial mystical improbable
absurd trivial commonplace heretical

Describing Diction
high or formal low or informal neutral precise exact
concrete abstract plain simple homespun
esoteric learned cultured literal figurative
connotative symbolic picturesque sensuous literary
provincial colloquial cliché idiomatic neologistic
inexact euphemistic trite obscure pedantic
bombastic grotesque vulgar jargon emotional
obtuse moralistic ordinary scholarly insipid
proper pretentious old-fashioned

Describing Syntax
periodic balances interrupted simple compound
complex declarative interrogative imperative exclamatory
telegraphic antithetical inverted euphonic rhythmical
epigrammatic emphatic incoherent rambling tortuous
jerky cacophonic monotonous spare austere
unadorned jumbled chaotic obfuscating journalistic
terse laconic mellifluous musical lilting
lyrical elegant solid

Describing Organization/Structure/Point of View

spatial chronological flashback flash forward in media res
step-by-step objective subjective nostalgic reminiscent
contemplative reflective clinical impersonal dramatic
omniscient limited

Describing Imagery
bucolic pastoral gustatory olfactory tactile
kinetic kinesthetic sensual sacred sexual
auditory religious animalistic militaristic chaotic

*use these more precise Imagery words for less precise ones such as
“vivid,” “colorful,” and “powerful”
Describing Characters
Physical Qualities: great substitutions for “pretty” and “ugly”
manly virile robust hardy sturdy
strapping stalwart muscular brawny lovely
fair comely handsome dainty delicate
graceful elegant shapely attractive winsome
ravishing dapper immaculate adroit dexterous
adept skillful agile nimble active
lively spirited vivacious weak feeble
sickly frail decrepit emaciated cadaverous
effeminate unwomanly hideous homely coarse
unkempt slovenly awkward clumsy ungainly
graceless bizarre grotesque incongruous ghastly
repellent repugnant replusive odious invidious
loathsome

Mental Qualities: great substitutions for “smart” and “stupid”

educated erudite scholarly wise astute
intellectual precocious capable competent gifted
apt rational reasonable sensible shrewd
prudent observant clever ingenious inventive
subtle cunning crafty wily unintelligent
unschooled unlettered ignorant illiterate inane
irrational puerile foolish fatuous vacuous
simple thick-skulled idiotic imbecilic witless
deranged demented articulate eloquent

Moral Qualities: great substitutions for “good” and “bad”

idealistic innocent virtuous faultless righteous
guileless upright exemplary chaste pure
undefiled temperate abstentious austere ascetic
puritanical truthful honorable trustworthy straightforward
decent respectable wicked corrupt degenerate
notorious vicious incorrigible dissembling infamous
immoral unprincipled reprobate depraved indecent
ribald vulgar intemperate sensual dissolute
deceitful dishonest unscrupulous dishonorable base
vile foul recalcitrant philandering opportunistic

Spiritual Qualities: more great substitutions for “good” and “bad”

religious reverent pious devout faithful
regenerate holy saintly angelic skeptical
agnostic atheistic irreligious impious irreverent
profane sacrilegious materialistic carnal godless
diabolic fiendish blasphemous unregenerate altruistic
charitable

Social Qualities: great substitutions for “nice” and “mean”

civil amicable contentious unpolished sullen
tactful courteous cooperative genial affable
hospitable gracious amiable cordial congenial
convivial jovial jolly urbane suave
anti-social acrimonious quarrelsome antagonistic misanthropic
discourteous impudent impolite insolent ill-bred
ill-mannered unrefined rustic provincial boorish
brusque churlish fawning obsequious sniveling
grumpy fractious crusty peevish petulant
waspish taciturn reticent gregarious garrulous
 45 Ways to Avoid Saying
“Very”
Avoid Saying… Instead Say… Avoid Saying… Instead Say… Avoid Saying… Instead Say…
very afraid terrified very fast quick very roomy spacious
very angry furious very fierce ferocious very rude vulgar
very bad atrocious very good superb very serious solemn
very beautiful exquisite very happy jubilant very small tiny
very big immense very hot scalding very strong unyielding
very bright dazzling very hungry ravenous very stupid idiotic
very capable accomplished very large colossal very tasty delicious
very clean spotless very lively vivacious very thin gaunt
very clever brilliant very loved adored very tired exhausted
very cold freezing very neat immaculate very ugly hideous
very conventional conservative very old ancient very valuable precious
very dirty squalid very poor destitute very weak feeble
very dry parched very pretty lovely, gorgeous very wet soaked
very eager keen very quiet silent very wise sagacious
very evil villainous very risky perilous very worried anxious

NOUNS
For Use in Literary Discussion

Analyzing Characters
foil nemesis adversary protagonist antagonist
confidante doppelganger narrator (unknown, reliable, unreliable, naïve)

Analyzing Structure/Organization/Point of View

foreshadowing epiphany analogy extended metaphor shifts
parallel structure comparison/contrast transition sequence definition
juxtaposition anecdote frame story arrangement classification
categorization placement perspective (chronological, geographic, emotional, political)
person (first, second, third)

Identifying Genre/Purpose
novel novella personal narrative memoir abstract
fable sermon portrayal treatise parody
précis synopsis critique verse journey
travelogue essay allegory polemic commentary
farce conceit eulogy elegy archetype
soliloquy monologue

Identifying Sound Devices

alliteration assonance consonance repetition rhyme
end rhyme feminine rhyme masculine rhyme meter slant rhyme
incremental rhyme eye rhyme onomatopoeia