Clear Action Verbs

The verbs below are not necessarily tied to the categories in which they have been placed. They are meant to draw out a more accurate, descriptive picture of what someone actually does. They are preferable to terms such as “works with,” “responsible for,” “administers,” and “processes,” which are generic in nature and do not provide enough information regarding what specifically is done, or the levels of complexity and responsibility involved.

Data

Accesses or locates (from databases or files)

Analyzes

Checks or verifies

Compares and/or contrasts

Complies and gathers

Computes or tabulates

Copies or records

Corrects

Creates (information)

Deletes

Designs or devises

Determines or decides

Describes

Develops

Edits, revises, or updates

Enters or files (data)

Establishes

Evaluates

Forecasts

Formulates

Forwards, releases, routes, or transmits

Identifies

Interprets or judges

Investigates or research

Logs

Measures or weighs

Organizes

Proofreads

Prepares (statistics, summaries)

Prints or runs (reports)

Reads and absorbs

Reconciles

Reviews

Submits

Studies

Surveys

Synthesizes

Writes

People

Advises, or recommends or suggests 

Aids, assists

Approves or authorizes

Assigns 

Asks or requests of

Communicates to/with

Confers or coordinates 

Directs

Encourages

Explains or states  

Facilitates or conducts

Hires

Instructs or trains

Interviews

Mentors

Negotiates

Notifies

Orders

Persuades, diverts, or sells

Presents to 

Provides input or feedback, or responds

Reports to 

Schedules

Serves or helps

Speaks to 

Supervises or leads

Takes instructions or requests

Things

Accepts (goods, materials)

Carries

Cleans or sanitizes

Delivers

Diagnosis or troubleshoots

Drives

Handles

Inspects

Installs

Mails

Maintains

Manipulates

Modifies or alters

Operates, controls

Picks up

Pulls and/or pushes

Purchases or orders

Sets up or constructs

Sorts or separates

Stamps

Transports