Vivid+Verbs

Why does the English language have many words that are related? Wouldn’t life be simpler if we have fewer words to learn? See this group of verbs:

Movement: amble, stroll, scuttle, trot, march, jog, scramble, sprint Although they are all used to convey movement of the body, they create very different effects in the writing. A good writer chooses the most suitable verb for the occasion. This makes the writing more lively and vivid.

Consider these sentences. How does the verb change the meaning?


 * The Idol contestant was **singing**.
 * The Idol contestant was **screeching**.
 * The Idol contestant was **crooning**

Try to see how many verbs you can use to describe the acts of
 * Sleeping
 * Eating
 * Writing
 * Speaking
 * Laughing

Ask yourself, what makes you choose one word and not another? What effect are you trying to achieve?