Write Better Sentences: Unlocking Clarity by Turning Hidden Verbs into Action
- Embrace Access
- Apr 18
- 2 min read
At Embrace Access, we believe clear communication isn’t just a style choice—it’s a fundamental part of accessibility. One of the simplest ways to make your writing clearer and more accessible is to look out for hidden verbs—also known as nominalisations—and turn them back into actions.
If that sounds technical, don’t worry. Let’s break it down.
What Are Hidden Verbs?
A hidden verb is when a verb (an action word) is turned into a noun. This often makes sentences longer and harder to understand.
Here’s an example:
Before:
The implementation of the new system will lead to an improvement in efficiency.
This sentence is full of hidden verbs. “Implementation” comes from the verb “implement.” “Improvement” comes from “improve.”
After:
Implementing the new system will improve efficiency.
Same idea, but it’s shorter, clearer, and more direct.
More Examples
Hidden Verbs:
Make a decision → decide
Give an explanation → explain
Provide assistance → assist
Conduct an investigation → investigate
Before:
We will conduct an investigation into the issue.
After:
We will investigate the issue.
Why It Matters: Accessibility for All
Overcomplicated sentences are not just annoying—they can be a real barrier. Hidden verbs often lead to long, clunky phrases that confuse or exclude readers. This can be especially challenging for:
People from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds
People with disabilities, including intellectual disability, Autism, or acquired brain injury
People with low literacy or English as a second language
Older people with increased attention and memory difficulty
When we shorten and simplify our sentences, we don’t dumb them down—we open them up. We make them available to more people.
That’s real accessibility.
Clear Sentences = Inclusive Communication
Shorter, action-based sentences do more than look neat on a page. They:
Increase understanding
Improve readability for screen readers
Reduce cognitive load
Help people skim and scan for key points
Show respect by meeting your audience where they are
It’s Time to Embrace Easy Read
Easy Read goes even further. It combines plain language, short sentences, and helpful images to make written content accessible for people with communication and literacy differences.
At Embrace Access, we create Easy Read documents that do more than translate information—they open doors.
Want to:
Reach more customers and clients?
Attract and support a diverse workforce?
Make sure your community information is truly for everyone?
💡 Then it’s time to work with us.
Let’s turn your content into something that welcomes everyone in. Contact Embrace Access today to start an Easy Read project that will help your business grow, include more people, and break down access barriers—one sentence at a time.
More help? Reach out to the team!
We post tips regularly on LinkedIn to help our strong following of disability allies and advocates to choose Easy Read with confidence!
Contact the team
📞 0420 551 707
