October 28, 2025

This Word Macro turns all linking verbs blue. I use it to help myself and my students spot opportunities to replace linking verbs with action verbs. I gave it a title starting with “aa” so it will show up near the top of my macros menu. I probably based this on someone else’s code, but I have not yet learned the tools to keep track of such borrowing, so apologies for not providing more credit.

For an explanation of the difference between linking verbs and action verbs, see (“Action Verbs And Linking Verbs,” Gallaudet University, https://www.gallaudet.edu/tutorial-and-instructional-programs/english-center/grammar-and-vocabulary/verbs/action-verbs-and-linking-verbs/.)

Sub aaLinkingVerbsBlue()
Dim vWords As Variant
Dim sWord As Variant

vWords = Array("is", "was", "are", "were", "be", "it's", "being", "isn't", "aren't", "weren't", "am", "become", "becomes", "became", "seems", "seems", "seemed")

For Each sWord In vWords
    Selection.Find.ClearFormatting
    Selection.Find.Replacement.ClearFormatting
    Selection.Find.Replacement.Font.Color = wdColorBlue
    With Selection.Find
        .Text = sWord
        .Replacement.Text = ""
        .Forward = True
        .Wrap = wdFindContinue
        .Format = True
        .MatchCase = False
        .MatchWholeWord = True
        .MatchWildcards = False
        .MatchSoundsLike = False
        .MatchAllWordForms = False
    End With
    Selection.Find.Execute Replace:=wdReplaceAll
Next sWord

End Sub