Transcript WC_CWP_3.Verbs

Common Writing Problems: Verbs
Lesson 3 Verbs
Subject/Verb Agreement
A subject and a verb “agree” if both are singular or both are plural.
In the following examples, the subjects and verbs agree.
Example: Kelvin always plays basketball.
Singular subject and singular verb
Example: Kelvin and James always play basketball.
Plural subject and plural verb
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Common Writing Problems: Verbs
Lesson 3 Verbs
Subject/Verb Agreement
The subject of a sentence can be hard to locate if a phrase comes
between the subject and its verb. Look at the following examples.
Notice how the insertion of a phrase can cause confusion in
locating the subject of the sentence.
Example: This batch is ready to be sold.
Example with a phrase interrupter: This batch of cute little kittens
is ready to be sold.
“Batch” is still the subject of the second sentence; therefore, its
verb is still the singular verb “is.” Keep in mind that an interrupting
phrase does not change the subject in number.
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Common Writing Problems: Verbs
Lesson 3 Verbs
Consistent Tenses
A piece of writing that begins in the present tense should remain in
the present tense, unless there is a good reason to change.
Similarly, a piece of writing that begins in past tense should
generally remain in the past.
Example: Marisa called Jack to ask him about the post card he had
sent her. Jack insists that he did not send the card.
Revision: Marisa called Jack to ask him about the post card he had
sent her. Jack insisted that he did not send the card.
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Common Writing Problems: Verbs
Lesson 3 Verbs
Consistent Tenses
Example: Then Ted tells his version of the argument. He says, “I was
just minding my own business.” Hearing this, Freddy jumped up
angrily.
Revision: Then Ted tells his version of the argument. He says, “I was
just minding my own business.” Hearing this, Freddy jumps up
angrily.
Notice that the tense of verbs in direct quotations is not
influenced by the tense of the rest of the passage.
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Common Writing Problems: Verbs
Lesson 3 Verbs
Modifiers After Action and Linking Verbs
A modifier following an action verb should be an adverb. A modifier
following a linking verb should be an adjective. Remember that
words like seems, feels, appears, acts, and becomes are often
linking verbs.
Example: Recognition for his achievement did not come easily.
did come (action verb) followed by easily (adverb)
Example: Freshly fallen snow appears beautiful to most people.
appears (linking verb) followed by beautiful (adjective)
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Common Writing Problems: Verbs
Lesson 3 Verbs
Choosing Between Active and Passive Voice
When you write, you should use the active voice whenever
possible. In active voice, the subject of the sentence is the actor; in
other words, the subject performs the action.
Active Voice: Antonio kicked the ball.
The subject (Antonio) is doing the action (kicking).
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Common Writing Problems: Verbs
Lesson 3 Verbs
Choosing Between Active and Passive Voice
When you write, you should use the active voice whenever
possible. In active voice, the subject of the sentence is the actor; in
other words, the subject performs the action.
Active Voice: Antonio kicked the ball.
The subject (Antonio) is doing the action (kicking).
In passive voice, the subject of the sentence is acted upon by
someone or something.
Passive Voice: The ball was kicked by Antonio.
The subject (ball) is acted upon by Antonio who is doing the kicking.
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Common Writing Problems: Verbs
Lesson 3 Verbs
Choosing Between Active and Passive Voice
There are times, however, when passive voice is the best choice.
Use passive voice—
• when the actor is less important than what is acted upon.
Example: Blizzard warnings were issued by the National Weather
Service well in advance of the storm.
(The fact that the blizzard warnings were issued is more important
than who issued them.)
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Common Writing Problems: Verbs
Lesson 3 Verbs
Choosing Between Active and Passive Voice
There are times, however, when passive voice is the best choice.
Use passive voice—
• when the actor is unknown. when the actor is unknown.
Example: The downtown branch of the First National Bank was
robbed last night.
(It is not known who robbed the bank.)
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