Damn you, ElSol !

[impressive]

It's all your fault.

Ever since you posted some rant about use of the word "was," I've been ultra conscious about it. Every time the word leaves my fingertips now, it gives me pause. Nine times out of ten, I find a more suitable verb.

Sure, my prose is stronger as a result ... but, damn if it doesn't take me twice as long to write it.

 

[sophia jane]

I had a teacher who wouldn't let us use any "to be" verbs (is, are, was, were, etc) in our papers. I got very good at finding action verbs. It does make your writing stronger, but it's a pain in the ass.

SJ

 

[Sunnie]

Hmm, I might have to try that as a challenge some time...

 

[cantdog]

It was a challenge.

 

[impressive]

It was a challenge.

Nyuk!

 

[Sunnie]

It was a challenge.

Okay, so it was a challenge.

...I'll do it anyway.

 

[elsol]

Oh... I'm solly!

I won't mention the problems with 'that' or that 99% of the time the words 'started' or 'began' are unnecesarry.



But remember, I felt your pain and, believe it or not, eventually it becomes second nature.

Although, you do run into the problem of being unable to read someone who uses 'was' likes it's the default verb.

I start to read something where the first sentence uses it three times and I just STOP.

Sincerely,
ElSol

 

[elsol]

And some 'useful' advice.

DON'T READ YOUR OLD STUFF... after you make this kind of transition. It will force you to re-edit everything to fit your new word usage.

That is a serious time killer to get rid of 50 or so uses of the word 'was' and the 100 uses of the word 'that' and every instance of 'started/began to'.

*shiver*

Sincerely,
ElSol