Common Writing Problems: Verbs 9-10 Writing Companion © Perfection Learning ® Reproduction permitted for classroom use only. 1 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

Common Writing Problems: Verbs 9-10 Writing Companion © Perfection Learning ® Reproduction permitted for classroom use only. 2 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.

Common Writing Problems: Verbs 9-10 Writing Companion © Perfection Learning ® Reproduction permitted for classroom use only. 3 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.

Common Writing Problems: Verbs 9-10 Writing Companion © Perfection Learning ® Reproduction permitted for classroom use only. 4 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.

Common Writing Problems: Verbs 9-10 Writing Companion © Perfection Learning ® Reproduction permitted for classroom use only. 5 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)

Common Writing Problems: Verbs 9-10 Writing Companion © Perfection Learning ® Reproduction permitted for classroom use only. 6 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).

Common Writing Problems: Verbs 9-10 Writing Companion © Perfection Learning ® Reproduction permitted for classroom use only. 7 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.

Common Writing Problems: Verbs 9-10 Writing Companion © Perfection Learning ® Reproduction permitted for classroom use only. 8 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.)

Common Writing Problems: Verbs 9-10 Writing Companion © Perfection Learning ® Reproduction permitted for classroom use only. 9 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. Example: The downtown branch of the First National Bank was robbed last night. (It is not known who robbed the bank.)