Thread: Writing without be and being words

I never knew that you were not supposed to use be and being words. My English professor just told us that it will make our papers much better to not use these words. I did not realize how often I used these words in my writing. Does anyone have suggestions on how what to do to get away from using these words?

No offense, but your professor sounds like an idiot.

Did the professor mean/say not to use flat conjugations of the verb "to be"? If that's what he/you meant, I agree. Words like "was", "had", "were", "will" and "have" should be avoided like the plague. As should clichés

Two possible solutions: reword sentences, or use contractions like "he'd" or "you'll".

That doesn't offend me at all because I thought it was extremely odd when she told us that. In the past I have always been told I was a good writer and now I really don't know what to do.

She said words such as: Is, are, was, were, am, be, being, and been.

See my edited post above

I didn't even think about the contractions. Thank you so much for the help

What exactly do you mean, "don't use be and being"? If it's something like, "He was angry" instead of "He was being angry," I guess I understand that (though I didn't realize it was a problem). However, there are all kinds of legitimate uses for those words, so it would probably be better if your teacher didn't make such a generalization.

Originally Posted by jmhbrat

I didn't even think about the contractions. Thank you so much for the help

A professor who doesn't want you to use "be" probably wouldn't want you to use contractions, either.

jmhbrat didn't mean the actual words "be" and "being".

He meant constructions of the verb 'to be', as OX pointed out above.

I would do it for your professor because he's the one grading your papers. That said, when it comes to creative writing, I would take what he's saying with a pinch of salt. Variations of the verb 'to be' are the most common in the English language. Avoiding them entirely is nonsensical.

Your professor wants you to use active voice more than passive. Perhaps you have been over-using passive. Both are useful, which is why both are in the language. Active voice demonstrates, passive voice explains. Active voice moves quickly and tends to be concise. Passive voice slows the pace, often using a few extra words to say something.

Just curious, but wouldn't a contraction equate to the same thing as using the 'to be' verbs? Since contractions are only short hand for not spelling out both words?

It's just that they flow, in both writing and speech, whereas a lot of the time, saying, for example, "I will be back" makes you sound like you've got a broom handle up your fundamental orifice.

I disagree. If I rise from the table in a restaurant and tell the other people seated at the table, 'I'll be back', as I head toward the Littlest Room in the establishment, it's just a polite and casual way of excusing myself from the company and saying I've not gone for the day, but will return shortly.

If, however, there have been sharp words exchanged, I may rise from the table, look my antagonist full in the face, and say, 'I will be back', then the words are not polite at all and take on an altogether different meaning.

I'm very fond of contractions. They're very useful, both in writing and speaking, but the part that's contracted is almost always a form of the verb 'to be'. I've a difficult time thinking of an instance when such is not the case.

Except, of course, in Downunderlander, in which such contractions as 'g'day' may be common.

I did a bit of looking a few years ago through my collection of books I have laying about, and after spot checking a handful of spots in each, there appeared to be a serious lack of contractions in the narration. While I only looked at a couple dozen books at random, for the most part,most of the authors I've bought books of have kept contractions out of the narrative.

So, while I know it's been debated more times than I've cared to participate in, I've decided to only allow them in dialog. That and posting in forums.