topic: [[Writing]] people: created: 2024-07-09 *Adding oomph and value through word choice and tense to move action.* ##### what is it? The subject should be the first thing readers encounter in a sentence, if not, they will make the subject what they see first. Verbs are the method to move the action, to create the storyline. Don't delay the verb, unless on purpose. The reader leans towards the verb, waiting for the subject to be satisfied with the action. ##### why does it matter? English runs on the _subject-verb_ paradigm (not all languages do). 1) Use active tense to emphasize the actor, use passive tense to emphasize the action. 2) Consider 3 types of verbs: - state (being) - dynamic (doing) - dynamo (stand-out verbs that should be used rarely but highlight key ideas) Subject-verb coherence satisfies the readers needs and allows them to move forward most easily. ##### This reminds me of The author controls the tone, action, and feeling of the sentence through [[subject-verb coherence]] the way a [[learning leader]] runs a classroom or how implementing [[Leadership in Crises]] manages a team in uncertainty. ##### What would the opposite argument be? Don't work so hard! Just let your English run out of your body. You can write in [[Flow]] if you let it happen. Focusing the writers attention on [[subject-verb coherence]] will cause self-regulation which will reduce output. My argument for this is [[🐓 Idea Farm/Backlog/slow productivity|slow productivity]], [[slow is smooth and smooth is fast]]. tags: #note/idea | #on/writing | #on/writing/process ##### Sources: Hale, C. (2012). _Vex, hex, smash, smooch: Let verbs power your writing_ (1st ed). W.W. Norton & Co. Lingard, L., & Watling, C. (2021). _Story, Not Study: 30 Brief Lessons to Inspire Health Researchers as Writers_ (Vol. 19). Springer International Publishing. [https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-71363-8](https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-71363-8) Chapter 20