Precise verbs

Vague helpers such as helped with, worked on, and was responsible for can often be replaced with the action. The replacement still has to be true.

Checked

You compared one thing with another.

Say what you compared it with: the invoice, the drawing, the appointment book.

Checked the delivery against the invoice and set aside two damaged boxes.

Recorded

You wrote down what happened, at the time, in the place the workplace uses.

Remembering it is not the same as recording it.

Recorded each clinic cancellation on the day's sheet with the time of the call.

Explained

You told someone the next step in words they could use.

Explained the entire policy is too wide if you answered one question.

Explained that the replacement part would be ordered on Monday and that I would call when it arrived.

Assisted

You helped someone who remained responsible.

Assisted is honest when you were not the lead. Do not upgrade it to led if the other person decided.

Assisted the nurse by preparing the room and writing the arrival time. The nurse completed the assessment.

Confirmed

You checked a detail and then said it back.

Confirmed is too strong if you only hoped it was true.

Confirmed the delivery time with the driver and wrote 2pm on the note.

Separated

You put one group of things aside from another.

Say what you separated from what. Separated issues is too vague.

Separated the damaged boxes from the delivery before they were put on the shelf.

Check

  1. You compared boxes to an invoice. Which verb is the most precise?
  2. The nurse decided the care. You prepared the room. Which verb stays accurate?
  3. You checked a delivery time with the driver and wrote 2pm on the note. Which verb is precise?
  4. You put damaged boxes to one side before they reached the shelf. Which verb fits?
  5. The nurse decided the care. You wrote the arrival time. Which verb stays accurate?
  6. You told a customer the part would be ordered on Monday and that you would call when it arrived. Which verb fits?