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Power Verbs in English

by Emma
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What are power verbs?

Power verbs are action words that have positive meanings in English. When you
use a power verb, you can communicate your message more strongly and
con dently than when using other verbs. This is especially useful when you are
applying for a job and want to appear as a con dent and competent candidate.
Power verbs can also make your writing more interesting and help prevent you
from using the same words too many times.

The following sentences are examples from the Work Experience section of a
resume. Notice the differences between the sentences.

Made new software for ABC Company. → Made is a weaker verb.

Developed new software for ABC Company. → Developed is a power verb. You
sound more con dent and interesting using ‘developed’ .

Where can I use power verbs?

Power verbs are useful in many situations. They are especially great for resumes,
job interviews, and academic writing like essays.

Before you use a power verb…

Make sure you understand the exact meaning of the power verb you are going to use.
You don’t want to make a mistake with the word, especially on a resume.

Look the word up in a dictionary, search the internet for examples of sentences where it
has been used, and if possible, nd someone to check your sentence to make sure that
you’ve used it correctly.

Make sure you are comfortable with the word before you use it.

Weak verbs to avoid: ☹

Here is a list of verbs you should avoid on your resume where possible:

did look said start

make take told nish
use keep talk
get have change
GENERAL POWER VERB LIST
Here are some better alternatives to common weak words.

Weak Word: DID

act apply conduct handle
activate arrange execute perform
administer carry out facilitate

Weak Word: MAKE

assemble develop fashion synthesize
compose devise formulate
create engineer generate
design establish produce

Weak Word: FIX

alleviate detected remedied solved
amended diagnosed repaired synthesized
debugged investigated revitalized streamline

Weak Word: SHOW

demonstrate describe highlight portray
depict exhibit illustrate represent

Weak Words: TALK, SPEAK, WRITE, COMMUNICATE

addressed consulted explained present
advocate collaborate highlight publicize
briefed correspond inform report
communicate disseminate instruct specify
composed edited interact verify
convince educated negotiate welcome

Weak Word: KEEP

ensure maintain strengthen

Weak Word: USE

operate

Weak Word: GET

achieve obtain procure

Weak Word: CHANGE, MAKE SOMETHING BETTER, GET RESULTS

accelerate convert heighten recognize for
accomplish decrease improve (passive verb =
achieve eliminate increase “is/was recognized
alter expand minimize for”)
award excel maximize reduce
attain generate receive transform

Weak Word: HELP

aid bolster enrich provide
assist enhance help

Weak Word: ADD

compile strengthen

Weak Word: START

initiate

POWER VERBS FOR SPECIFIC INDUSTRIES

Here are some power verbs we often use when talking about our experience in
certain jobs and industries. This is not a complete list of power verbs. I have
covered some of the most common power verbs in the list below, but there are
many more. Please note that the same power verbs can be used for many different
jobs, so if you see a power verb in one job category such as medicine, it may also
apply to a different job too.

Customer Service, Tourism, Hospitality, Retail Store

accommodate assist explain support
address assure handle target
advertise clarify help translate
advise communicate interact welcome
aid distribute listen
anticipate document promote
answer exhibit resolve

Law & Legal Professions

advocate arbitrated investigate negotiate
amend extracted lobby represent
analyze interviewed mediate specify

Leader & Management

allocate convince head recommend
approve coordinate hire resolve
assess delegate lead run
assign direct manage supervise
authorize encourage monitor spearhead
chair enforce orchestrate
consolidate guide oversee

Business, Finance, Accounting

account for distribute inventory report
anticipate estimate market streamline
appraise evaluate measure tabulate
assess nance negotiate target
audit forecast project total
bargain fundraise provide
budget identify purchase
demonstrate implement record

Public Sector & Government

accommodate commission implement regulate
advise consult institute represent
allocate estimate issue sanction
appoint evaluate of ciate specify
authorize nance promote
budget identify negotiate

Administrative, Clerical, Receptionist, Secretary

administer catalog edit organize
answer categorize le prepare
aide classify format record
assist collect handle retrieve
arrange coordinate issue report
balance distribute order schedule

Teaching & Advising

assist educated highlight promote
coach empower inform supplement
encourage encourage instruct taught
evaluate explained prepare
foster guide present

Researcher, Scientist, Academic

acquire conduct interpret share
analyze consult interview study
classify discover lecture uncover
collaborate examine measure
collect formulate publish
compile identify review

IT, Computers, Tech

brainstorm collaborate compile compute
consult develop innovate transmit
convert x launch verify
debugged format program
detect identify retrieve
determine implement track

Medicine
advise counsel diagnose provide
care detect dispense rehabilitate
collaborate determine identify treat

Engineer
assess convert draw innovate
collaborate develop engineer regulate
construct draft implement

Machine Operator
inspect manufacture prepare
install operate repair

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Test your understanding of this English lesson

Test your understanding of the English lesson by answering these questions.
You will get the answers and your score at the end of the quiz.

Quiz

Which of the following is a power verb?

do

make

develop

have

Next Question

Related

Get a new job: Vocabulary & grammar for your RESUME & COVER LETTER

Get a better job: Power Verbs for Resume Writing

more...

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