English Grammar Demystified - A Self Teaching Guide

CHAPTER 9 Style and Clarity^193

9. The need for better art supplies in the middle school exists.


10. We have stopped using that truck company because of the delays we
    experienced.

Using Verbs Instead of Nouns

Clear sentences avoid “smothered verbs.” Smothered verbs occur when we string
noun phrases through our writing. Often the phrases start with the word have or the
word make. You’re sure to recognize these phrases:

make a recommendation

make a suggestion

have knowledge

have an objection

Find the buried verb in each of the following sentences:

1. I will make a recommendation that we skip our vacation this year.


2. I have no knowledge of his skills.
   3. The judges have an objection to your uniform.

Let’s look at how to change the noun recommendation into a verb:

1. I recommend that we skip our vacation this year.

In the next two sentences, change knowledge to know and objection to object.

2. I don’t know about his skills.
   3. The judges object to your uniform.

These simple changes bring your verbs into the open and make your sentences so
much clearer.