Action Verb Checker
Paste your bullets and this checker lists the verbs it recognises: the strong openers, and the flat ones like "responsible for" or "helped with". The list matches against the verbs in the checker, in your browser.
Check your action verbs right here
Paste a few bullet points and see which verbs land — and which ones read as filler.
Need the full report? Run the complete ATS scan free. Files are parsed on your device and never uploaded.
The essentials
What is the Action Verb Checker?
It checks the opening verb of every bullet you paste and flags the ones that describe a duty rather than an action. “Responsible for”, “helped with” and “worked on” are reported with a stronger verb you can use for the same sentence.
Who it is for
It is for anyone tidying up a resume: if you are rewriting a document and every bullet starts the same way, or you cannot tell which of your verbs sound passive, this gives you the list to fix in one pass.
How it works
- Paste the bullet points you want to check, one per line.
- Each opening verb is matched against the weak and strong verb lists the checker carries.
- Read the suggestion for each flagged line and keep only the ones that describe what you actually did.
What you need
- Your bullet points as text. A sentence each is enough.
- No account, no file upload and no payment.
What you get
A list of the flagged bullets with a suggested replacement for each, and a count of how many lines already open with an action.
What it does not do
It reads verbs, not meaning. It cannot tell whether the achievement is true, whether the number in it is right, or what a particular employer wants to see — that judgement stays with you.
Next step: rewrite the whole bullet or check the exported file.
Why Action Verbs Matter on Resumes
A reviewer skim-reading a page sees the first word of every bullet before anything else. Strong action verbs carry the scope and the outcome in that first word; weak openers like "responsible for" or "helped with" make the same achievement sound passive.
The checker compares each bullet against a list of strong verbs and a list of weak openers, and shows what it found in both.
It does not rewrite the sentence for you: the choice of verb depends on what you actually did, so the tool shows the options and you pick the true one. AI drafting is a separate feature, available in the resume builder.
Before & After Examples
Responsible for managing team projects
Spearheaded cross-functional team projects, delivering 15% faster results
Helped with customer service issues
Resolved 200+ customer inquiries monthly, achieving 98% satisfaction
Worked on sales strategies
Architected data-driven sales strategies, increasing revenue by 35%
Power Verbs by Category
Leadership
Achievement
Technical
Creative
Analytical
Communication
Frequently Asked Questions
What are action verbs in resumes?
Action verbs are strong, dynamic words that start bullet points and describe your accomplishments. They show what you achieved rather than just listing responsibilities.
Why should I avoid weak verbs?
Weak verbs like 'responsible for' or 'helped with' are passive and don't showcase your impact. They make achievements sound like basic duties instead of accomplishments.
How many action verbs should I use?
Start every bullet point with a unique action verb. Avoid repetition—use different verbs throughout your resume to showcase diverse skills.
Do action verbs improve ATS scores?
There is no universal ATS score, and this checker does not claim one. Applicant tracking systems match the words in your file against the words in the advert, so a specific verb that mirrors the advert helps more than a generic one — but the match depends on the advert and on the employer's configuration.
Strengthen Your Resume Now
Paste a bullet, see which verbs the checker recognises
Check Action Verbs Free