You could check out 'The Runaway' where phrases like 'ran away' and 'looked up' are used to add vividness.
Well, such a story might have vivid descriptions and complex plots. The phrasal verbs could add a more natural and conversational tone.
Phrasal verbs can be used to add variety and naturalness. For example, use 'put off' instead of 'delay'. In a short story, if you say 'The meeting was put off', it sounds more like everyday speech. Also, phrasal verbs can show action more vividly. Like 'pick up' can imply a quick and easy action of getting something. If a character in a story 'picks up' a coin from the ground, it gives a clear image.
Sure. Once upon a time, a young man set out to look for a job. He came across an advertisement for a position at a big company. He filled in the application form and sent it off. However, he was turned down at first. But he didn't give up. He carried on looking for other opportunities. Eventually, he ran into an old friend who worked at another great place. His friend helped him out and he got a job there.
Yes. For example, 'The cake was baked by my grandmother.' Here, the focus is on the cake which was baked. In a mystery short story, 'The crime was committed last night.' It gives information about the crime without immediately focusing on the perpetrator, which can build suspense.
Well, verbs like 'scurry' can add action. You can say 'The mouse scurried into its hole'. 'Ponder' is good for showing a character's thought process, as in 'She pondered the strange situation'. Also, 'clutch' can be used to convey a sense of gripping tightly, like 'He clutched the old photograph in his hand'.
Some good verbs for a horror story are "creep", like "The shadow began to creep up the wall", "haunt", for example "The old mansion was haunted by a vengeful spirit", and "stalk", such as "The killer stalked his prey through the dark alley".
Definitely. Passive verbs have their place in short stories. They can help make the narrative more objective or add a certain mystery. Just make sure not to overuse them, or the writing might become less engaging.
Once there was a man who 'looked up' to his boss. One day, his boss said they were going to 'take on' a new project. The man was excited but a bit nervous. He 'got along' well with most of his colleagues, but there was one who always 'put him down'. As they started the project, they had to 'figure out' many problems. In the end, they managed to 'pull it off' successfully, and the man who used to 'put him down' finally 'came around' and apologized.
For horror stories, 'scare' is a basic but important verb. For instance, 'The sudden noise scared the children'. 'Terrorize' is a more intense one, say 'The monster terrorized the small town'. 'Gasp' can also be used, as in 'He gasped when he saw the ghostly apparition'
Some common verbs are 'creep', as in 'The shadow crept along the wall'. 'Haunt' like 'The old house haunted by a ghost'. And 'stalk', for example 'The unknown creature stalked its prey in the dark forest'.