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Vex, Hex, Smash, Smooch: Let Verbs Power Your Writing
A writing handbook that celebrates the infinite pizzazz of verbs.
Writers know it instinctively: Verbs make a sentence zing. Grammar gurus agree: Drama in writing emerges from the interplay of a subject (noun) and a predicate (verb). Constance Hale, the best-selling author of Sin and Syntax, zooms in on the colorful world of verbs. Synthesizing the pedagogical and the popular, the scholarly and the scandalous, Hale combines the wit of Bill Bryson with the practical wisdom of William Zinsser. She marches through linguistic history to paint a layered picture of our language—from before it really existed to the quirky usages we see online today. She warns about habits to avoid and inspires with samples of brilliant writing. A veteran teacher, Hale gives writing prompts along the way, helping readers “try, do, write, play.” Vex, Hex, Smash, Smooch guides us to more powerful writing by demonstrating how to use great verbs with style.
Writers know it instinctively: Verbs make a sentence zing. Grammar gurus agree: Drama in writing emerges from the interplay of a subject (noun) and a predicate (verb). Constance Hale, the best-selling author of Sin and Syntax, zooms in on the colorful world of verbs. Synthesizing the pedagogical and the popular, the scholarly and the scandalous, Hale combines the wit of Bill Bryson with the practical wisdom of William Zinsser. She marches through linguistic history to paint a layered picture of our language—from before it really existed to the quirky usages we see online today. She warns about habits to avoid and inspires with samples of brilliant writing. A veteran teacher, Hale gives writing prompts along the way, helping readers “try, do, write, play.” Vex, Hex, Smash, Smooch guides us to more powerful writing by demonstrating how to use great verbs with style.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published August 20, 2012
89 people are currently reading
529 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
February 17, 2014
I was really enjoying this book, and then started the section on types of verbs. Hale used the most god-awful metaphor about dough, and various types of breads, belaboring the point, and joking about belaboring the point, and abruptly the book was dead for me. Killed by yeasty crust.
June 9, 2012
I just finished an advance review copy of this and loved it. It's my favorite kind of nonfiction book: lots of fun examples, history, and tips. I dog-earred a bunch of pages, and it inspired me to try harder to use great verbs. (<-- See what I just did there with "dog-earred" and "inspired"?)
December 22, 2021
Not as fun as I would have expected. Found it in a used book sale, and was anxious to get started.
I was looking for a writing craft book with a twist. And while that is how this book is billed, and it does in fact talk about writing, it really is a linguistics study. To be sure, linguistics and writing are kissing cousins for obvious reasons, but they are not in fact the same thing. Deep diving into one does not, pound for pound equal a deep dive into the other. This is a deep dive into linguistics, with a focus on verbs, and a mention of writing.
At times, more like a textbook than the accessible craft book I thought I was getting. (Especially in the "vex" section of each chapter. Some are quite thick.)
I'll keep it for reference, as that is what it is best used for. But it doesn't really inspire much creativity.
I was looking for a writing craft book with a twist. And while that is how this book is billed, and it does in fact talk about writing, it really is a linguistics study. To be sure, linguistics and writing are kissing cousins for obvious reasons, but they are not in fact the same thing. Deep diving into one does not, pound for pound equal a deep dive into the other. This is a deep dive into linguistics, with a focus on verbs, and a mention of writing.
At times, more like a textbook than the accessible craft book I thought I was getting. (Especially in the "vex" section of each chapter. Some are quite thick.)
I'll keep it for reference, as that is what it is best used for. But it doesn't really inspire much creativity.
May 29, 2013
Review to come. I took so many notes while reading this book that it took me quite a while to get through. It was worth the time taken though. I think this book was good in a more specific way with verb use, whereas "Sin and Syntax" dealt with all parts of a sentence. Still, this book delved into the history of the English language and showed many examples where rules were made to be broken and when they weren't. I thought it was a very valuable resource, and would certainly add it to my writing library.
December 13, 2012
This is the best writing book I've read all year. Constance Hale has created a valuable refrence tool for any writer and it's a great compelling read. I was fascintated with the history and I loved all the examples she included, especially all the political guffaws. Get it at the library and read it first if you must, but this is one book that can help improve anyone's writing.
January 8, 2015
I loved this book! I never knew there was so much to say (and write) about verbs, but this book is chock-full with interesting facts and explanations about all kinds of verbs. It's a bit of a book for grammar-freaks though since it delves pretty deep into verb-grammar. You'll learn more about phrasal verbs, transitive verbs, intransitive verbs, any kind of verbs. But also about dangling participles, the difference between 'may' and 'might' or between 'irritate' and 'aggravate' and that doesn't even begin to describe the many interesting lessons in this book.
The structure of the book was great as well with each chapter being divided into four parts:
vex: explanation of a subtopic and why it's so vexing
hex: or popular myths ('never use the passive voice')
smash: discussing mistakes from writers, politicians, and the likes
smooch:showcasing brilliant writing
The 'smash' sections were hilarious (and worrying at the same time, since some goofs came from respected papers or magazines). I won't remember everything from this book, but I do know that I've learned many practical lessons that will improve my writing.
The structure of the book was great as well with each chapter being divided into four parts:
vex: explanation of a subtopic and why it's so vexing
hex: or popular myths ('never use the passive voice')
smash: discussing mistakes from writers, politicians, and the likes
smooch:showcasing brilliant writing
The 'smash' sections were hilarious (and worrying at the same time, since some goofs came from respected papers or magazines). I won't remember everything from this book, but I do know that I've learned many practical lessons that will improve my writing.
February 15, 2014
I loved this book, it was on the wittiest and best discussion of good English and grammar that I have ever read. I positively loved the appendices and though I started it long ago, and took a break while we moved, I think I might just read it again! I first heard about it on A Way With Words, the language podcast. Well worth the time!
January 26, 2022
A one-star review is not fair because a) I didn't make it further than 100 pages and b) the author is clearly an accomplished writer whose work is worthy of more than one star.
Howevs. It gets one star from me because:
- I didn't *want* to go further than 100 pages. I had to drag myself through even those.
- As other reviewers mentioned, this is a grammar book dressed up as a writing book. Related, yes. Same? no.
- I wasn't in the mood for alternating lectures and jokes. This book (what of it I read) swung wildly, for me, from boring and dry to corny.
Alas.
Howevs. It gets one star from me because:
- I didn't *want* to go further than 100 pages. I had to drag myself through even those.
- As other reviewers mentioned, this is a grammar book dressed up as a writing book. Related, yes. Same? no.
- I wasn't in the mood for alternating lectures and jokes. This book (what of it I read) swung wildly, for me, from boring and dry to corny.
Alas.
July 4, 2013
A Good Review
VEX, hex, SMASH, smooch
Constance Hale
Author of Sin and Syntax
Constance Hale, author of another great book, Sin and Syntax takes her writing a little bit further when she digs deep into the usage of verbs in VEX, hex, SMASH, smooch. If ever, a book, a writer must read, this should be it.
Something to sit on your desk or on your private library shelf, a reference book of sorts, a Goodread, a slow one but still a good read.
Yes, who of you would find verbs this titillating? From hilarious examples, to the do's and don'ts of usage, a history of verbs past, present, and future.
A how to book on understanding the power and pizzazz, the language and syntax of verbs. Pairing and appreciating the drama and dynamics of verbs. The shapes and sizes, getting a grip on the subject, predicates, and objects, the bastard verbs and the evolution of the verb. Redundancies, moods and tones, wars on grammar, the tenses, terms, the voice of verbs, passive and active, intentional or unintentional. To making sentences behave.
Factive verbs taking on objective compliments, causative verbs that gets things started, and ergative verbs offering a change of state.
The syntax tree with its eight branches of speech. Verbal Dexterity, in her words, verbal cross-dressers. Constance Hale reveals her humor throughout the book, with troubled verbs and grammatude. (self coined) Grammatude, sounds yuppy-ish doesn't it, snooty. Defining the undefined. She ends with style.
A book to be read, one page at a time. If there were any other way. There is a lot to digest is what I'm suggesting.
A good read. It's got my two thumbs up. A five-star, non-fiction reference book.
I highly recommend it.
Michael Estey
VEX, hex, SMASH, smooch
Constance Hale
Author of Sin and Syntax
Constance Hale, author of another great book, Sin and Syntax takes her writing a little bit further when she digs deep into the usage of verbs in VEX, hex, SMASH, smooch. If ever, a book, a writer must read, this should be it.
Something to sit on your desk or on your private library shelf, a reference book of sorts, a Goodread, a slow one but still a good read.
Yes, who of you would find verbs this titillating? From hilarious examples, to the do's and don'ts of usage, a history of verbs past, present, and future.
A how to book on understanding the power and pizzazz, the language and syntax of verbs. Pairing and appreciating the drama and dynamics of verbs. The shapes and sizes, getting a grip on the subject, predicates, and objects, the bastard verbs and the evolution of the verb. Redundancies, moods and tones, wars on grammar, the tenses, terms, the voice of verbs, passive and active, intentional or unintentional. To making sentences behave.
Factive verbs taking on objective compliments, causative verbs that gets things started, and ergative verbs offering a change of state.
The syntax tree with its eight branches of speech. Verbal Dexterity, in her words, verbal cross-dressers. Constance Hale reveals her humor throughout the book, with troubled verbs and grammatude. (self coined) Grammatude, sounds yuppy-ish doesn't it, snooty. Defining the undefined. She ends with style.
A book to be read, one page at a time. If there were any other way. There is a lot to digest is what I'm suggesting.
A good read. It's got my two thumbs up. A five-star, non-fiction reference book.
I highly recommend it.
Michael Estey
January 22, 2015
It's a fascinating look at verb anatomy and usage, an inspiring guide to writing with strong verbs, and a practical reference for many language questions that involve verbs. I shall keep it handy!
The writer has a crisp style that makes this book fun and interesting. I am freshly inspired to use strong verbs and verb forms--gerunds, participles, infinitives--in my writing.
As for verb anatomy and classification, I'm glad grammarians study this stuff--I truly am. However, in speaking or writing, one can be hampered by being too conscious of verb tenses, voice, mood; such things as transitive, intransitive, regular, irregular, imperative, conditional, subjunctive; and flavors of phrasal verbs, factitive, causative, ergative verbs. Egad! And I thought Spanish and Latin were rough! I'm just glad to be a native speaker and writer of English, so mostly I don't have to think 'grammar' all the time while writing. But this book is a handy reference for those pesky grammar questions that do occasionally arise.
The writer has a crisp style that makes this book fun and interesting. I am freshly inspired to use strong verbs and verb forms--gerunds, participles, infinitives--in my writing.
As for verb anatomy and classification, I'm glad grammarians study this stuff--I truly am. However, in speaking or writing, one can be hampered by being too conscious of verb tenses, voice, mood; such things as transitive, intransitive, regular, irregular, imperative, conditional, subjunctive; and flavors of phrasal verbs, factitive, causative, ergative verbs. Egad! And I thought Spanish and Latin were rough! I'm just glad to be a native speaker and writer of English, so mostly I don't have to think 'grammar' all the time while writing. But this book is a handy reference for those pesky grammar questions that do occasionally arise.
July 2, 2013
Instructing, compelling, engaging, and amusing, this is one of the most original books on writing I've read in a while. Focusing on the underrepresented verb, Hale dissects examples of good and bad writing with illuminating results. I enjoyed the book a great deal, although I don't know how many of the lessons I absorbed.
September 2, 2013
Even though I've written two books so far and such, I struggle. As in: grope with the words, even the narrative, and certainly the voice. Writing usually involves little droplets of blood forming on my brow as I suffer to expose my ideas. But I honestly believe this book has helped me wrangle some new writing skills. Let us hope. Highly recommended for ease of read and insightful nuggets.
November 5, 2012
Useful and informative. I know know about phrasal verbs plus a zillion other reasons to trust your copy editor!
December 8, 2013
I am in awe of a person who can commit to the use of grammar and make it fun and interesting to the rest of us as we bumble along. Loved the lessons!
February 16, 2020
I borrowed from my library after it was cited several times in . I enjoyed the author's writing style and voice; brings a lightness to the very deep subject of sentence structure and language evolution. Her understanding and research into the origins of English words, phrases, usages, and idiosyncrasies is top-notch. Our language has a long and fascinating heritage; Ms. Hale presents the history in an easily consumable manner.
is appropriate for the writer looking to understand fully the myriad options English holds to express an idea. The chapter topics are illustrated clearly with examples from many genres and time periods, including commentary that drives the main points home. She uses inventive analogies and carries them through the book, providing continuity and familiarity for the reader once the underlying point is understood.
This book ended up being more than I was looking for in a discussion of the importance of verb usage in writing, but that does not diminish the fact that I think it is a very useful craft book. It is organized so that it could be referenced easily when a writer is looking for ways to avoid a certain construction, or for alternate ways of saying something. If you are interested in how our English grammar has evolved, and continues to evolve, is a worthwhile read. A solid book for a writer's toolbox.
is appropriate for the writer looking to understand fully the myriad options English holds to express an idea. The chapter topics are illustrated clearly with examples from many genres and time periods, including commentary that drives the main points home. She uses inventive analogies and carries them through the book, providing continuity and familiarity for the reader once the underlying point is understood.
This book ended up being more than I was looking for in a discussion of the importance of verb usage in writing, but that does not diminish the fact that I think it is a very useful craft book. It is organized so that it could be referenced easily when a writer is looking for ways to avoid a certain construction, or for alternate ways of saying something. If you are interested in how our English grammar has evolved, and continues to evolve, is a worthwhile read. A solid book for a writer's toolbox.
October 27, 2018
Constance Hale provides one of the most thorough treatments of verbs I've read. The book is aimed at writers, both novice and experienced, and unless you hold a PhD in English composition, you will learn something useful to make your writing better. Do you know all about verb tense, mood, and voice? How well do you understand participles, gerunds, irregular verbs, and phrasal verbs? Do you know why these things matter (and they do matter) and how mastering them will help your writing shine brighter? Hale's book provides the answers.
The title is a bit awkward (try saying it three times fast!)--I think "Let Verbs Power Your Writing" by itself would have been just fine--but "vex," "hex," "smash," and "smooth" provides the framework around which Hale organizes each chapter, and the scheme works pretty well. At times she ventures into murky waters where even she may be out of her depth. For example, I'm still scratching my head at how "tight-fisted" is a past participle, as she asserts on page 224. But for the most part, she's spot on. She includes many examples from real life and literature to illuminate the concepts, along with plenty of endnotes and an extensive bibliography to warm the hearts of readers who care to dig deeper.
I highly recommend this book, and I know that I'll regularly pull it off my bookshelf to consult for my own writing.
The title is a bit awkward (try saying it three times fast!)--I think "Let Verbs Power Your Writing" by itself would have been just fine--but "vex," "hex," "smash," and "smooth" provides the framework around which Hale organizes each chapter, and the scheme works pretty well. At times she ventures into murky waters where even she may be out of her depth. For example, I'm still scratching my head at how "tight-fisted" is a past participle, as she asserts on page 224. But for the most part, she's spot on. She includes many examples from real life and literature to illuminate the concepts, along with plenty of endnotes and an extensive bibliography to warm the hearts of readers who care to dig deeper.
I highly recommend this book, and I know that I'll regularly pull it off my bookshelf to consult for my own writing.
October 28, 2017
If jazzy titles can make grammar tips more palatable, then this book is for you. With a focus on those all important verbs, Constance Hale works through English grammar with plenty of delightful asides and examples. I don't suggest reading this book cover to cover, but if you are a word maven, it's the type of book to pick up as the mood strikes and read a snippet for a good laugh or deeper understanding of our language.
August 7, 2021
Amazing resource for writers who want to improve their technical ability! This book is worth it even for the irregular verbs appendix alone. There are so many writing craft books available about plot and how to craft a story. Less, it would seem, on improving the more intricate areas of writing like creating mood, using dynamic verbs, and making your sentences shine. An easy to understand and extremely helpful writing book!
May 10, 2024
I listened to this on audible but I think I may want to purchase the physical book.
I did take a lot of notes and do the exercises which is why it took me so long to actually finish this wonderfully fun book about my favorite subject, language!
I’m a sucker for books about words, this one is no exception. A lovely romp through the myriad of verbs and how we can use them to catapult our writing to another level.
I did take a lot of notes and do the exercises which is why it took me so long to actually finish this wonderfully fun book about my favorite subject, language!
I’m a sucker for books about words, this one is no exception. A lovely romp through the myriad of verbs and how we can use them to catapult our writing to another level.
August 24, 2018
Sometimes too dense, sometimes too light, this book alternately challenged and bored me.
July 13, 2019
I didn't actually finish it, but it's on my reference shelf, so I don't have to read it from front to back. Having it available is enough.
July 22, 2019
A book on grammar cleverly disguised as a book on writing... but then again, I like books about grammar so... *shrug*
August 23, 2019
I learned an important lesson about verb placement in a sentence for maximum impact. So simple and so important, so powerful. Worth reading for that alone. I have not finished reading the book.
November 19, 2019
Quite heavy at times. If you like the nitty gritty of grammar, you'll dig it. Hale is great at providing examples. Good read for writers.
May 19, 2021
My professional development reading for this quarter. Ms. Hale’s overview of verbs confirms this part of speech is the true heart of the sentence.
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August 7, 2021to-read
June 3, 2016
The English language is rich and broad and ever changing. It also has different styles depending on the audience, and for good or bad, the digital age seems to be speeding up the evolution of language. I'm kind of middle of the road in that I tend to use less formal language than the author does (I'm not bothered by using contact and impact), but I do try to communicate clearly and obey most rules of grammar. However, I am always amazed at how much I've forgotten and go through phases of reading grammar and writing books every few years.
I found this one to be interesting, but too long, and therefore, harder to really remember much of what I read. I especially enjoyed the sections on how our language evolved. The book was also a reminder to examine my word choice and spellcheck for excessive use of "is". I'll probably need to reread the book in a few years.
I found this one to be interesting, but too long, and therefore, harder to really remember much of what I read. I especially enjoyed the sections on how our language evolved. The book was also a reminder to examine my word choice and spellcheck for excessive use of "is". I'll probably need to reread the book in a few years.
April 5, 2013
FInally finished Vex, Hex. This is a book to be taken in small chunks and digested slowly. If you are a person who finds words interesting, you'll like it. The quotes and excerpts are part of the appeal. I bookmarked an excerpt from Jonathan Raban's book Bad Land to explore further. Turns out I've already read and loved one of his books, Coasting. So my too-read list now includes Bad Land, as well as Passage to Juneau.
Makes me think about my use (or lame use) of verbs. Some parts get skimmed over. Overall, most writers will gain something by checking out this book. It is a fun read for a serious book!
Makes me think about my use (or lame use) of verbs. Some parts get skimmed over. Overall, most writers will gain something by checking out this book. It is a fun read for a serious book!
June 16, 2013
The book takes passages straight from "Sin and Syntax," a more comprehensive work by the same author. In addition Chapter 3 is redundant if you have read Bill Bryson's "Mother Tongue" and anything by David Crystal. However, the suggested readings, sources, and websites were new. Overall though, the book rehashing what has already been written in other popular style guides and histories of the English language.
May 24, 2014
This entertaining and useful usage guide puts the focus on the verbs. Hale is a little more strict than some, but laxer than others. This is a good tool to consult when in doubt about a particular usage, but taken with a grain of salt rather than Gospel.
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