Lesson 4: Feeling and Thinking Verbs
Welcome to our exploration of Feeling and Thinking Verbs!
These verbs are unique because they don’t just show actions; they express internal processes. They’re about what’s happening inside the mind and heart. In this lesson, we’ll dive deep into what these verbs are and how you can use them to enrich your writing and communication.
What are Feeling and Thinking Verbs?
Feeling verbs articulate emotions or states of being. They help us describe how someone is feeling at a particular moment. Examples include love, hate, enjoy, prefer, fear, feel, and appreciate.
Thinking verbs indicate cognitive processes. They describe acts of the mind, such as believing, considering, deciding, knowing, understanding, and remembering. When you’re using thinking verbs, you’re delving into the realm of thought and intellect.
The Importance of Feeling and Thinking Verbs
These verbs are crucial for a few reasons:
- Character Development: In narrative writing, they allow you to show the internal states of your characters, making them more three-dimensional and relatable.
- Expressing Personal Opinions: They’re invaluable in essays and discussions for stating your views or interpretations.
- Enhancing Descriptive Writing: They enable you to add depth to your descriptions by incorporating emotional and psychological layers.
How to Use Feeling and Thinking Verbs
To use these verbs effectively, it’s essential to match them accurately with the subject’s mental or emotional state. Here are some tips:
- Be Specific: Choose the verb that most precisely describes the emotion or thought process. “The character loathes broccoli” is more potent than saying “The character doesn’t like broccoli.”
- Consider Tense: Just like action verbs, feeling and thinking verbs can be presented in various tenses to reflect different times. Ensure you’re using the correct tense for your context.
- Avoid Overusing ‘Feel’: While "feel" is versatile, using more specific feeling verbs can make your writing more vivid and engaging.
- Show, Don’t Just Tell: Whenever possible, show the thoughts or feelings through actions and dialogue, in addition to using these verbs.
