What are the power verbs? The list below is provided to help you find some great, active verbs to help the descriptive lines on your resume stand out.
List of Power Verbs in English
Here are some better alternatives to common weak words.
Weak Word: DID
- Act
- Activate
- Administer
- Apply
- Arrange
- Carry out
- Conduct
- Execute
- Facilitate
- Handle
- Perform
Weak Word: MAKE
- Assemble
- Compose
- Create
- Design
- Develop
- Devise
- Engineer
- Establish
- Fashion
- Formulate
- Generate
- Produce
- Synthesize
Weak Word: FIX
- Alleviate
- Amended
- Debugged
- Detected
- Diagnosed
- Investigated
- Remedied
- Repaired
- Revitalized
- Solved
- Synthesized
- Streamline
Weak Word: SHOW
- Demonstrate
- Depict
- Describe
- Exhibit
- Highlight
- Illustrate
- Portray
- Represent
Weak Words: TALK, SPEAK, WRITE, COMMUNICATE
- Addressed
- Advocate
- Briefed
- Communicate
- Composed
- Convince
- Consulted
- Collaborate
- Correspond
- Disseminate
- Edited
- Educated
- Explained
- Highlight
- Inform
- Instruct
- Interact
- Negotiate
- Present
- Publicize
- Report
- Specify
- Verify
- Welcome
Weak Word: KEEP
- Ensure
- Maintain
- Strengthen
Weak Word: USE
- Operate
Weak Word: GET
- Achieve
- Obtain
- Procure
Common Power Verbs
In this section, we will cover some of the most commonly used power verbs in English. These verbs can help you communicate your message more effectively and confidently.
Act
One of the most powerful verbs in English, “act” is a versatile word that can convey a wide range of meanings. It can mean to perform a specific action, to behave in a certain way, or to take a particular course of action.
- For example, you could say “I acted quickly to resolve the issue” or “We need to act now to prevent further damage.”
Achieve
“Achieve” is another powerful verb that can help you communicate your accomplishments and successes. It means to successfully accomplish a goal or objective.
- For example, you could say “I achieved my sales targets for the quarter” or “We achieved our goal of reducing waste by 50%.”
Create
“Create” is a verb that can be used to describe the act of making something new or bringing something into existence. It can be used in a wide variety of contexts, from art and music to business and technology.
- For example, you could say “I created a new marketing campaign that increased sales” or “We created a new product that revolutionized the industry.“
Improve
“Improve” is a verb that can be used to describe the act of making something better or enhancing its quality. It can be used in a wide variety of contexts, from personal development to business and technology.
- For example, you could say “I improved my public speaking skills by attending a workshop” or “We improved our production process to increase efficiency.“
Solve
“Solve” is a verb that can be used to describe the act of finding a solution to a problem or challenge.
- For example, you could say “I solved the technical issue by rebooting the system” or “We solved the customer complaint by offering a refund.“
Power Verbs for Communication
In English, power verbs are action words that have a positive connotation. They help you communicate your message more strongly and confidently.
- Achieved: communicates accomplishment.
- Collaborated: shows teamwork ability.
- Demonstrated: shows practical skills.
- Implemented: shows initiative.
- Negotiated: shows persuasion skills.
- Resolved: shows problem-solving ability.
Power Verbs for Leadership
- Advocated
- Enabled
- Led
- Aroused
- Energized
- Lobbied
- Assembled
- Organized
- Motivated
- Influenced
- Directed
- Coordinated
- Managed
Power Verbs for Teamwork
- Collaborated
- Coordinated
- Facilitated
- Mentored
- United
- Volunteered
Power Verbs for Problem Solving
- Analyze
- Evaluate
- Identify
- Solve
- Implement
- Collaborate
- Innovate
- Optimize
- Refine
- Streamline
Power Verbs for Achievements
- Achieved
- Completed
- Exceeded
- Implemented
- Streamlined
Power Verbs for Creativity
- Innovate
- Brainstorm
- Conceptualize
- Design
- Imagine
- Invent
- Originate
- Reframe
- Revitalize
- Transform
Power Verbs for Job Applications
- Achieved
- Analyzed
- Coordinated
- Created
- Developed
- Enhanced
- Implemented
- Improved
- Innovated
- Led
- Managed
- Maximized
- Organized
- Optimized
- Resolved
- Streamlined
Power Verbs for Presentations
- Inspire
- Motivate
- Engage
- Persuade
- Impress
Practice and Exercises with Answers
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
- The new employee __________ the project with great enthusiasm.
- The CEO __________ the company’s profits in the last quarter.
- The team __________ a new strategy to increase sales.
- The teacher __________ the students to always try their best.
Answers:
- initiated
- analyzed
- innovated
- motivated
Exercise 2: Match the Definition
- Optimize
- Facilitate
- Evaluate
- Persuade
Answers:
- A
- B
- C
- D
Exercise 3: Rewrite the Sentence
- The manager was happy with the team’s progress.
Answer: The manager was pleased with the team’s progress.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some strong action verbs to use in lesson plans?
Examples: analyze, compare, contrast, create, evaluate, explain, identify, interpret, summarize.
What are some power verbs that students can use to improve their writing?
Examples: persuade, convince, describe, illustrate, demonstrate, narrate.
What are some powerful verbs to use on a resume?
Examples: achieved, created, developed, implemented, managed, organized, supervised.
What are some action verbs to use when trying to convey knowledge?
Examples: explain, demonstrate, illustrate, teach, train.