Do Be Have

Look out for these three verbs:

• To do
• To be
• To have
  
  

These three, in their various forms can clog and weaken your copy.

Examples:

• She did make a great speech at the conference
• He’s always complaining about the weather
• I’ve seen that movie 3 times already
  
  

The verb forms:

• She did = To do
• He’s = To be
• I’ve = To have
  
  

They’re wasteful additions to the sentences because the action in the sentences comes from these words:

• Make = To make
• Complaining = To complain
• Seen = To see
  
  

So make the main action, the main verb:

Before = She did make a great speech at the conference
After = She made a great speech at the conference

Before = He’s always complaining about the weather
After = He always complains about the weather

Before = I’ve seen that movie 3 times already
After = I saw that movie 3 times already

The sentences after, are concise and stronger.