Illustrative Verbs
These verbs can be used in writing competence statements and
performance objectives or student proficiencies.
Illustrative verbs for stating general instructional objectives
Analyze
Apply
Appreciate
Comprehend
Computer
Create
Demonstrate
Evaluate
Interpret
Know
Locate
Perform
Recognize
Translate
Understand
Use
Write
Illustrative verbs for stating specific learning outcomes
Creative behaviors
Change
Design
Predict
Question
Regroup
Rename
Restate
Restructure
Simplify
Synthesize
Generalize
Rearrange
Reorganize
Retell
Systematize
Complex, logical, judgmental behaviors
Analyze
Appraise
Combine
Contrast
Criticize
Decide
Evaluate
Explain
Formulate
Infer
Plan
Structure
General discriminative behaviors
Choose
Collect
Devine
Differentiate
Discriminate
Distinguish
Isolate
List
Match
Pick
Place
Point
Modify
Recombine
Reorder
Revise
Vary
Paraphrase
Reconstruct
Rephrase
Rewrite
Compare
Deduce
Generate
Substitute
Conclude
Defend
Induce
Describe
Identify
Omit
Select
Detect
Indicate
Order
Separate
Social behaviors
Aid
Allow
Contribute
Cooperate
Help
Interact
Permit
React
Answer
Disagree
Invite
Talk
Argue
Discuss
Join
Communicate
Greet
Participate
Language behaviors
Abbreviate
Accent
Capitalize
Edit
Alphabetize
Hyphenate
Articulate
Indent
Call
Outline
Verbs-Illustrative
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Print
Say
Syllabify
Pronounce
Sign
Tell
Study behaviors
Arrange
Categorize
Copy
Diagram
Label
Locate
Name
Note
Reproduce
Search
Mathematical behaviors
Add
Bisect
Derive
Divide
Graph
Group
Multiply
Number
Solve
Square
Verify
Laboratory science behaviors
Apply
Calibrate
Decrease
Demonstrate
Increase
Insert
Manipulate
Operate
Replace
Report
Straighten
Time
Punctuate
Speak
Translate
Read
Spell
Verbalize
Recite
Summarize
Write
Chart
Find
Look
Organize
Sort
Cite
Follow
Map
Quote
Underline
Compile
Itemize
Mark
Record
Calculate
Estimate
Integrate
Plot
Subtract
Check
Extrapolate
Interpolate
Prove
Tabulate
Compute
Extract
Measure
Reduce
Tally
Conduct
Dissect
Keep
Plant
Reset
Transfer
Connect
Feed
Lengthen
Prepare
Set
Weigh
Convert
Grow
Limit
Remove
Specify
Functional Verbs
(Grouped by “idea packages”)
Administrative action
Advise
Administer
Coordinate
Consult
Direct
Enforce
Manage
Order
Require
Review
Push along verbs
Activate
Encourage
Maintain
Motivate
Verbs-Illustrative
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Appoint
Decide
Establish
Organize
Supervise
Authorize
Delegate
Execute
Plan
Train
Control
Determine
Initiate
Reject
Expedite
Further
Implement
Stops
Check
Delete
Prevent
Return
Stop
Helpers
Advise
Guide
Show
Aid
Instruct
Suggest
Cooperate
Participate
Counsel
Protect
Explain
Serve
Get and give
Accept
Collect
Forward
Inform
Make available
Provide
Recruit
Sell
Take
Accumulate
Compile
Furnish
Inquire
Notify
Pull
Render
Send
Transfer
Acquire
Deliver
Gather
Issue
Obtain
Purchase
Request
Solicit
Withdraw
Arrange for
Distribute
Get
Keep
Pick up
Recall
Report
Submit
Buy
Exchange
Give
Mail
Procure
Receive
Secure
Supply
Creative
Create
Estimate
Originate
Design
Forecast
Plan
Devise
Formulate
Project
Develop
Initiate
Schedule
Establish
Install
Ascertain
Develop
Inspect
Plan
Review
Test
Check
Evaluate
Interpret
Rate
Solve
Weigh
Compare
Examine
Interview
Read
Study
Conserve
Guarantee
Verify
Control
Inspect
Edit
Regulate
Study or appraise
Appraise
Analyze
Consider
Criticize
Forecast
Identify
Investigate
Measure
Research
Resolve
Summarize
Survey
Control
Audit
Check
Enforce
Ensure
Restrict
Review
Verbs-Illustrative
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Verbs Organized by Bloom’s Taxonomy
Knowledge (Level I) Knowledge involves the recalling of previously learned
specific items of information. Knowledge is the lowest level of learning outcomes in
the cognitive domain.
define
relate
tell
locate
cite
list
repeat
describe
outline
omit
name
underline
find
identify
label
recall
remember
match
select
record
reproduce
quote
state
describe
locate
tell
diagram
chart
map
discriminate
discuss
recognize
translate
rephrase
generalize
rewrite
explain
report
distinguish
convert
paraphrase
isolate
express
restate
summarize
interpret
describe
report
apply
interpret
sketch
discover
give examples
change
demonstrate
operate
use
organize
predict
prepare
dramatize
practice
calculate
modify
operate
develop
employ
schedule
construct
define
transfer
design
illustrate
show
work out
solve
produce
compute
analyze
criticize
calculate
debate
categorize
diagram
compare
distinguish
contrast
examine
Comprehension (Level II) Comprehension involves more than knowledge. It
involves the ability to grasp the meaning of materials.
identify
review
categorize
classify
sort
arrange
Application (Level III) The person can use this thought process can do everything
in the knowledge and comprehension categories. This person can also demonstrate
the ability to take informationof an abstract nature and use it in concrete situations.
It is this ability to apply information to new problems that makes the process
unique.
Analysis (Level IV) The essential ingredients of analysis include the breaking down
of a communication into constituent parts and revealing the relationships of those
parts. It involves an understanding of both the constant and structural form of the
materials.
Verbs-Illustrative
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experiment
solve
recognize
differentiate
inspect
test
inspect
discriminate
inventory
separate
infer
subdivide
question
detect
interrelate
arrange
create
plan
synthesize
devise
rearrange
assemble
design
prepare
combine
explain
reconstruct
collect
formulate
propose
compile
redesign
compose
manage
set up
summarize
generate
appraise
judge
score
criticize
assess
measure
contrast
compare
choose
rate
conclude
document
relate
take apart
break down
Synthesis (Level V) Synthesis is a word used to describe the process of pulling
together many separate elements of parts to form a unique whole. It is the
arranging, combining, and relating parts into new patterns or structures that make
this process unique.
construct
organize
Originate
restructure
modify
Evaluate (Level VI) Evaluation requires judgments which are statements about the
worth or value of materials or procedures. These statements involve choice (good,
better, best) or prescription (should, ought). These judgments are based on definite
criteria (logical and/or empirical).
Verbs-Illustrative
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estimate
revise
support
justify
evaluate
select
validate