Emotional Intelligence: A Verb That Enhances Your Life

Emotional is an adjective that describes a person, thing, or event that evokes strong feelings or is characterized by the display of such feelings. Emotional can also refer to someone who is prone to experiencing and expressing emotions. While emotional is typically used as an adjective, it can also be used as a verb in certain contexts, such as emoting or emotionalizing. Emotional response verbs describe actions or states of an emotional or psychological nature, where someone feels something as a result of a stimulus or source.

Emotional response verbs

When using emotional response verbs, it's important to understand their structure. Typically, these verbs involve a SOURCE or stimulus, which can be a person, an object, or an event, and an EXPERIENCER or receiver, who is usually a person but can also be an animal exhibiting emotional responses. For example, consider the sentence, "The water slide thrilled the children." Here, "thrilled" is the emotional response verb, "the water slide" is the SOURCE, and "the children" are the EXPERIENCERS.

The sentence structure can vary, and this variation impacts the voice of the sentence. When the subject of the sentence and the SOURCE of the emotional response are the same, as in the previous example, the sentence is in the active voice. However, when the subject of the sentence is the same as the EXPERIENCER of the emotion, the sentence shifts to the passive voice. For instance, "The children were thrilled by the water slide." Understanding this distinction is essential for effective communication and expression.

Mastering the use of emotional response verbs is beneficial for self-expression and understanding others' perspectives. It helps us convey our feelings accurately and build meaningful connections. Moreover, it aids in developing emotional literacy, which is crucial for social interactions and emotional well-being. By using these verbs effectively, we can enhance our communication and foster deeper understanding in our personal and professional relationships.

Emotional as a feeling

Emotional responses can be influenced by personal experiences, knowledge, or external stimuli, such as events or interactions with others. The intensity of emotional feelings can vary, ranging from mild to profound, and they can be positive, negative, or a mix of both.

Emotional feelings can be complex and multifaceted, encompassing a wide range of specific emotions, such as joy, sadness, anger, fear, surprise, and disgust. These emotions are a fundamental part of the human experience, shaping our interactions, decisions, and perceptions.

Being emotional is not always a negative trait. It can indicate empathy, passion, and authenticity. However, it is important to manage and express emotions in a healthy manner, as uncontrolled or excessive emotional responses can impact an individual's well-being and relationships.

In certain contexts, the term "emotional" may carry a negative connotation, implying that the display of emotions is unnecessary, exaggerated, or inappropriate. However, expressing emotions is a natural and healthy aspect of human behaviour, and seeking emotional support or assistance in processing difficult emotions is essential for maintaining emotional well-being.

Emotional support

There are several qualities and actions that are important for providing effective emotional support:

• Respectful treatment of the person in need, ensuring dignity and consideration.
• Non-judgmental listening and empathy, allowing the person to express their thoughts and feelings without criticism or interruption.
• Compassion and reassurance, providing understanding and letting the person know that their feelings are valid and normal.
• Unconditional support, where the person does not have to do or feel anything specific to receive help.
• Person-centred approach, focusing on the wants and needs of the individual seeking support.
• Active listening: Give undivided attention, allow the person to express themselves, ask clarifying questions, and summarise what they have said to show understanding.
• Empathising and validating: Put yourself in their shoes, acknowledge their pain, and validate their feelings by letting them know it is normal and okay to feel the way they do.
• Love, care, and encouragement: Remind the person that they are loved and supported, and offer encouragement to boost their spirits.
• Avoid trying to "fix" things: Resist the urge to offer unsolicited advice or try to talk them out of their feelings. Instead, ask if they would like your opinion or advice.
• Offer material support: If appropriate, offer practical help or services, such as driving them to an appointment or helping with tasks.

Remember that emotional support is about making the person feel heard, valued, and cared for. It is tailored to the individual and their unique needs and feelings.

Emotional outbursts

• Traumatic brain injury
• Cerebrovascular accidents (strokes)
• Adjustment disorders
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Asperger’s syndrome
• Postpartum depression
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Psychosis or psychotic disorders
• Personality disorders
• Oppositional defiant disorder
• Addressing emotional vulnerabilities
• Learning to speak assertively
• Practising grounding and relaxation techniques
• Practising self-care
• Seeking help from a professional

Emotional as a verb

Emotional response verbs are verbs that express an action or a state of an emotional or psychological nature. They are often used to express the emotions of characters in creative writing or to add flair and drama to writing. Emotional response verbs can be used to convey a range of emotions, including happiness, sadness, anger, fear, and surprise.

When using emotional response verbs, it is important to remember to use them sparingly and select words that truly capture the essence of what you are trying to convey. This ensures that your writing remains engaging and that your readers feel the full depth of emotion throughout the narrative.

• Amuse
• Annoy
• Baffle
• Bewilder
• Bore
• Confuse
• Depress
• Disappoint
• Excite
• Frighten
• Frustrate
• Interest
• Motivate
• Overwhelm
• Please
• Puzzle
• Shock
• Surprise

In addition to the above, there are also phrasal verbs that relate to emotions and attitudes. Phrasal verbs are multi-word verbs that consist of a verb and a particle (typically a preposition or an adverb). Here are some examples of phrasal verbs related to emotions:

• Cheer up
• Lash out at (someone)
• Crack up
• Calm down
• Choke up
• Let (someone) down
• Grow on (someone)
• Bottle up
• Goof off / Goof around
• Lighten up / Loosen up

Frequently asked questions