Do you make a decision before using litigation? Or do you just decide to litigate?
“Make” and “use” are prime targets for revision as you edit your professional writing. These are transitive verbs. You’re going to make something, use something. The verbs take a direct object. In contrast, intransitive verbs (like the proverbial cheese) can stand alone. Just to be confusing, some verbs can be both.
Here are some examples:
- “When the witness arrived [intransitive], the suspect ran [intransitive].”
- “The partners ran the business [transitive].”
- ”I wanted a raise [transitive], but the managing partner laughed [intransitive].”
As you edit your work product, pay special attention to instances where a stronger verb could replace a verb and its direct object. Besides being less persuasive, weak verbs plus explanatory words lengthen your writing [not “make your writing longer”]. “Mediating” a case is good; “using mediation” is wordy.
First Drafts are Just That — Drafts
When you review your work before hitting send or otherwise finalizing, pay attention to whether you can use strong verbs instead of “make” and “use.”
Theda “Teddy” Snyder mediates workers compensation cases throughout California. She is also available for freelance writing assignments. Teddy has practiced in a variety of settings and frequently speaks and writes about settlements and the business of law. She is a Fellow of the College of Law Practice Management and the author of four ABA books, including "Women Rainmakers' Best Marketing Tips, 3rd Edition" as well as "Personal Injury Case Evaluation" available on Amazon.com. Based in Los Angeles, Teddy can be found at WCMediator.com and on Twitter @WCMediator.
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