In fiction writing, verbs do more than describe action—they shape the reader’s emotional experience. Verbs move your story. They set the pace, control the tone, build tension, and influence the rhythm of every scene.
One important choice many writers and editors overlook?
Deciding between “reaching” and “reached.”
More broadly, we’re talking about present participle phrases (e.g., Reaching, she…) versus the simple past tense (She reached…).
It seems like a tiny grammatical detail, but the choice absolutely affects your writing’s rhythm, emotional tone, and pacing.
If you’re revising a novel, drafting short stories, or working on a creative nonfiction piece, paying attention to how you frame action is a subtle craft move that can dramatically elevate your work.
Let’s dig into why—and how to use this craft tool with intention to improve tone, suspense, and reader immersion.
✨ Present Participle for Suspense and Style
Using a present participle phrase at the start of a sentence (Reaching for the box, she…) places the reader inside the moment.
It’s slower.
It lingers.
It invites the reader to feel each breath, each beat of hesitation or motion.
This approach often feels:
- Immediate and visceral
- Dreamlike or stylized
- Suspenseful or emotionally textured
🖋 Example:
Reaching slowly, she placed her hand on the box.
→ We feel her hesitation. The movement is deliberate. The moment stretches.
Reaching toward the light, she blinked against the dust swirling in the air.
→ There’s movement, but also mystery. The action is sensory and atmospheric.
This structure works beautifully in psychological fiction, horror, or any scene where you want the tension to simmer.
It’s not just about what’s happening—it’s about what it feels like to do it.
🧭 Simple Past for Clarity and Pace
Using the simple past tense (She reached for the box) keeps the action clean and forward-moving. There’s a sense of resolution—she did the thing. The focus is on what happened, not how it unfolded.
This approach feels:
- Direct and grounded
- Less poetic, more linear
- Great for clear action or transitional moments
🖋 Example:
She reached for the box and opened it before she could change her mind.
→ The emotion is there, but it’s less intimate. The scene moves quickly.
She reached across the table and grabbed the folder.
→ This version gets to the point. It’s efficient and clear.
This is perfect when your scene needs to move briskly.
Or when you’re shifting out of a tense moment into clarity or resolution.
🧠 So Which Is “Better”?
It depends on the tone and rhythm you’re aiming for.
If your story is moody, psychological, or suspenseful, participle phrases like “Reaching, she…” or delayed verbs (“Her hand hovered. Then, she reached.”) can create intimacy and emotional pull.
But if your goal is to move the action forward, to ground the reader or clean up the pacing, simple past is your best friend.
Mix and Match for Maximum Impact
The most compelling writing varies sentence structure to create rhythm, tension, and release. You don’t need to stick with one or the other.
Use them intentionally—and let the emotion of the moment guide your choice.
💡 Example (from a suspense scene):
Her hand hovered over the quilt. Reaching for the music box, she paused. Then, slowly, she picked it up.
See how the variation builds tension, slows the reader down, then resolves the action with quiet weight?
Your Verbs Are Your Tempo
When editing your next scene, try reading it aloud. Where do you want the reader to linger? Where do you want them to exhale and move on?
Small changes—like switching “reached” to “reaching”—can have a big emotional impact.
So don’t just revise for grammar. Revise for rhythm, tone, and mood.
Your story will thank you.
🔁 Over to You:
What’s your go-to strategy for building tension in a scene? Have you ever experimented with participle phrases for effect?
Drop a comment below or share your favorite example—let’s geek out over verbs together.
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Pen and Polish 