What is an Action Verb?

You will use action verbs when creating your outcome statements (see the "S" in S.M.A.R.T on the previous page).

An action verb is used to describe the way in which learners will demonstrate what knowledge or skills they have obtained. These behaviors are spelled out in terms that are precise and clearly observable or measurable.

In contrast, statements such as “to understand”, “to know”, or “to enjoy” are ambiguous and lack specific, measurable outcomes. Changes in attitudes, values, or beliefs involve a more complex form of learning and, therefore, are also difficult to evaluate. These behaviors often develop over an extended period of time and cannot be measured immediately.

Sample Action Verbs

Action Verbs
Achieve Adapt Advance Apply Assess Assist Budget Build Change Clarify	Collaborate Collect Communicate Complete Contribute Coordinate Decide Determine Develop Document	Earn Educate Encourage Enforce Explain Explore Facilitate Focus Generate Guide	Head Hire Identify Implement Improve Incorporate Increase Initiate Inspire Justify	Lead Locate Maintain Manage Mentor Modify Negotiate Obtain Organize Participate	Perceive Perform Plan Prepare Prioritize Provide Recommend Research Review Revise	Schedule Select Serve Spearhead Specialize Streamline Structure Succeed Supervise Support	Target Teach Train Transfer Unify Update Use Verify Volunteer

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