Language saves time

Most instructions are processes and most processes are captured by verbs. If I were to say to you - "follow my instructions: first, lift up your right leg. Then, push backward with your left so that you hop forward onto your right. After you land on your right foot, lift up your left leg and repeat. While you are doing this, pump your arms up and down. Bend forward slightly..." I am describing a process. I could also demonstrate it to you (which would likely be far more effective). However, our abstract term – run – covers the set of actions much more simply than my sequential instructions or my demonstration. This is one of the great time-saving advantages of language: once we associate a set of actions into a process, we can name the process, and let it stand for the whole sequence.