1. Problem-Solving Strategies to Eliminate the “To-Be” Verb

2. What is so bad about “be” verbs
Vague
Lack of action
Weak

3. 1. Substitute
For example, instead of “That cherry pie sure is good,” substitute the “to-be” verb is with tastes as in “That cherry pie sure tastes good.”

4. “The monster was in the dark tunnel creeping,”
2. Rearrange
Start the sentence differently---
For example, instead of
“The monster was in the dark tunnel creeping,”
“Down the dark tunnel crept the monster.”

5. 3. Change another word in the sentence into a verb
Instead of
“Charles Schulz was the creator of the Peanuts cartoon strip.”
“Charles Schulz created the Peanuts cartoon strip.”

6. 4. Combine sentences
“The child was sad. The sensitive young person was feeling that way because of the news story about the death of the homeless man.”
“The news story about the death of the homeless man saddened the sensitive child.”

7. John is a doctor. John, a doctor, attended Harvard.
5. Use an appositive
John is a doctor. John, a doctor, attended Harvard.

8. 6. Use an adjective in front of the noun
My teacher was demanding. My demanding teacher assigned homework daily.