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ESCOpedia

Action verbs

Action verbs are used in learning outcomes descriptions to clarify the level of expertise expected for carrying out tasks in particular contexts.

The requirements signaled by terms like 'to recall', 'to describe', 'to define', 'to diagnose' and 'to synthesise' indicates different levels of complexity and different requirements to the holder of the skills and competences in question.

In ESCO, lists of action verbs maintained by Cedefop are used when creating terms for skills and competences in all ESCO languages. The goal is to use consistent and clear language. However, if the labour market requires it, other (more specific) verbs are used.