English B60 Grammar Review

Identifying verb phrases Sometimes a verb is just one word: Speak Often, a verb includes two or more words that function together as a verb phrase. Had been speaking

Adverbs in verb phrases You may see some adverbs in verb phrases. They have already spoken to the landlord and will also speak with other tenants. These words are not part of the verb itself, but modifiers of the verb.

Identifying main verbs Some verbs end in –ing or start with “to”. Speaking To speak No –ing word or verb starting with “to” can be a main verb in a sentence. Ted had a speaking part in that play. These forms may be used as subjects or other parts of sentences. Speaking on stage is an art. To speak on stage is an art.

Practice Underline the verbs or verb phrases in the following sentences; remember that there many be several verbs and verb phrases in each sentence since there are multiple clauses in each sentence. During my last semester of high school, our English teacher assigned a special paper. People drive more safely when they encounter fewer traffic signs and traffic lights. I have always wondered how an Etch A Sketch works. During my last semester of high school, our English teacher assigned a special paper. People drive more safely when they encounter fewer traffic signs and traffic lights. I have always wondered how an Etch A Sketch works.

Using standard English verbs Standard English verbs follow the usual conjugation pattern: PresentPastIyou wetalkwetalkedthey he, she ittalkshe, she, it

Irregular verbs Can you think of an irregular verb? Be (am/are/is/was/were) Do (does/do/did) Feel (feel/felt) See the list on pg. 107 of your text for more examples. Make sure you are familiar with how to conjugate both regular and irregular verbs in your sentences.

Practice Circle the correct Standard English verb forms. My cousin Isabel and I (has/have) a lot in common. I started a new volunteer job last month, and so far I really (like/likes) it. Yesterday, when I (walk/walked) on campus to go to my classroom, I (noticed/notice) a problem that needs to be fixed. My cousin Isabel and I have a lot in common. I started a new volunteer job last month, and so far I really like it. Yesterday, when I walked on campus to go to my classroom, I noticed a problem that needs to be fixed.

Subject-verb agreement Subjects and verbs work together in sentences, so they must agree. Singular subjects go with singular verbs, plural subjects go with plural verbs. The student studies. Two students study. The bell rings. The bells ring.

Subject-verb agreement Some words are always singular. One, anyone, everyone, no one, someone, anybody, everybody, nobody, somebody, and each. Prepositional phrases may come between subjects and verbs. Someone from the apartments (feed/feeds) my dog in the morning. Someone from the apartments feeds my dog in the morning. Sometimes words can be singular or plural depending on the words that follow them in prepositional phrases. All of her work has been published.

Subject-verb agreement When a sentence has a compound subject (more than one subject joined by and), the subject is plural. The teacher and the tutors eat lunch at noon. However, when two subjects are joined by or, then the subject closest to the verb determines the verb form. Either the teacher or the tutors eat lunch at noon. In most sentences, the subject comes before the verb. However, in some cases, the subject follows the verb, and subject-verb agreement needs special attention. Over the building flies a solitary flag.

Practice Make the subjects and verbs agree in the following sentences. Does any of the chairs and tables come with the apartment? A doughnut and a bag was sitting on the plate. Education level and income determines a person’s susceptibility to déjà vu. Do any of the chairs and tables come with the apartment? A doughnut and a bag were sitting on the plate. Education level and income determine a person’s susceptibility to déjà vu.

Verbals When a verb in a sentence is functioning as another part of speech, we call that a verbal. A verbal acting as a noun can be the subject of a sentence. Skiing is my favorite sport. A verbal can act as a noun object. I like to ski during winter. A verbal can act as an adjective. My bruised ankle healed quickly. A verbal can also act as an adverb. My ankle swelled quickly, doubling in size.

Practice Underline the verbals in the following sentences. She spent two hours thinking of a title for her essay. We had such fun baking those cherry vanilla cupcakes. Running is great exercise. She spent two hours thinking of a title for her essay. (main verb “spent”) We had such fun baking those cherry vanilla cupcakes. (main verb “had”) Running is great exercise. (main verb “is”)

Pronouns Pronouns are words that take the place of nouns to avoid repetition and clarify meaning. The words they take the place of are called antecedents. Personal pronouns are sometimes tricky because they take different forms in subject and object position.

Pronouns as Subjects The subject of a sentence is who or what is doing the verb. (He/Him) is my cousin He is my cousin He is older than (I/me) He is older than I am

Pronouns as Objects Objects of sentences are the recipients of the verbs. The coach asked Craig and (me/I) to carry the trophy. The coach asked Craig and me to carry the trophy. See the chart on pg. 155 in LYSK

Practice Circle the correct pronoun in each sentence. My friend Kate and (I/me) took our third field trip to a museum last wee. Kate may not get into art as much as (I/me), but she sure picked a great place to visit. I usually enjoy these museum visits more than (she/her). Last time, however, (she and I/her and me) both enjoyed it. My friend Kate and I took our third field trip to a museum last wee. Kate may not get into art as much as I, but she sure picked a great place to visit. I usually enjoy these museum visits more than she. Last time, however, she and I (or we) both enjoyed it.

Pronoun Agreement Pronouns and antecedents should agree in gender and number. A student must do (his/her/their) homework each night. A student must do his or her homework each night. Students must do their homework each night. All of the cats washed (its/their) tails. All of the cats washed their tails.

Shifts in person Your pronoun use should be consistent. In general, avoid the second person (you) whenever possible. If you start off in the first person, keep that pronoun through the end of the sentence. Few people know how to manage our time. We don’t need to be efficiency experts to realize that I could get a lot more done by budgeting his or her time wisely. Nor do they need to work very hard to become more organized. Few of us know how to manage our time. We don’t need to be efficiency experts to realize that we could get a lot more done by budgeting our time more wisely. Nor do we need to work very hard to become more organized.

Practice Correct the following pronoun errors I was reading about superstitions for my psychology class, and one superstition says that whenever you change your residence, one should get a new broom. One should never be rude to their parents. If a doctor isn’t sure about a diagnosis, they need to do more research. I was reading about superstitions for my psychology class, and one superstition says that whenever people change their residence, they should get a new broom. One should never be rude to his or her parents. If doctors aren’t sure about a diagnosis, they need to do more research.

Apostrophes are used to mark the missing letters in contractions. Contractions are combinations of words. Don’t, can’t, shouldn’t, etc. Make sure you include these in your writing and that they appear in the correct spot—where the missing letters would have been. Apostrophes

Apostrophes are also used to mark possession Sheila’s purse David’s sweater Buster’s collar Apostrophes Cont’d

When you’re marking possession for the singular, the apostrophe goes before the “s” Cecilia’s binder When you’re marking possession for the plural, the apostrophe goes after the “s” The girls’ bathroom Some words do not take the “s” to form plural Women Children Men Treat these words like you would the singular, and put an apostrophe and then an “s” Possession

Use the apostrophe for possessive pronouns Her’s, your’s, hi’s, it’s, etc. It’s is always the contraction for “it is” Use the apostrophe for verbs She run’s on Thursdays. Use the apostrophe for plurals I have two cat’s. Do Not…

Only you can prevent apostrophe abuse…

Working together in small groups, add apostrophes to the following sentences The tennis players strategy was brilliant. She couldnt have cared less. Cholesterol plays an important role in how long we live. Practice